Press Council of India Chairman Justice Markandey Katju has hit out at Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao for threatening to bury the media. Katju said that KCR’s statement was improper and unacceptable.
“This statement of a Chief Minister is, in my opinion, highly improper, highly objectionable and totally unacceptable in a democracy, particularly since it is coming from a person holding a high constitutional office,” Katju said.
Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar also said that no one will be allowed to play with media’s freedom. Javadekar’s comments came as the Telangana CM sparked a controversy by threatening to ‘bury the media 10 feet under the earth if it insults Telangana’.
After his meeting with KCR, Javadekar said that he has taken serious note of the remarks made by the CM. “Media’s freedom is soul of democracy. No one will be allowed to play with media’s freedom. 1975 emergency was to trample media’s freedom,” he said adding that those who enjoy the freedom should also behave responsibly.
He also denied reports in media that he has been shown a CD and has been convinced by KCR that the allegations against him are fake. We have taken serious note of the issue and you will know what we do. Have discussed all issues him KCR,” he said.
The problem started when two TV channels allegedly portrayed the members of the Assembly in a bad light. Transmission of the two channels was blocked subsequently and they have been protesting against it.
“We’ll break the necks and throw them out. Is this a channel for us? We’ll bury whoever insults the Telangana Assembly. We won’t allow idiotic games. I’m saying this as the Chief Minister of the state,” KCR had said.
The Opposition had condemned the CM’s dictatorial comments. He has also been under fire in the past for his statement that he will be like Hitler and even more if need be.
