Attack on NDTV office, a blow to democracy

George Washington has quoted, “If the freedom of speech is taken away then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter.” Contrary to this the fourth pillar of democracy, the Media is facing wrath of extremists who take such steps in the name of culture and traditions.

Recently Hindu Samrajya Sena group vandalised NDTV’s office in Ahmedabad and battered the staffs to protest against the news channel’s SMS poll which asked viewers if M F Hussain is one of the eligible contender for the Bharat Ratna award.

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It is reported that more than 20 miscreants executed the planned attack armed with hockey sticks and saffron robes. They went on destroying furniture and other equipments in the office premises.

Ahmadabad case was followed by another attack at NDTV’s Bhopal office by unidentified people on the same night. Though case has been registered, but till now no progress has been achieved in the case and also the main accused Ashok Sharma is roaming freely.

Earlier too there were many instances when media was attacked by the extremist group. Last year irked by Star News channel covering the elopement of a minor girl and a boy from two different communities from Gujarat, Hindu Rashtra Sena ransacked the news channel premises in central Mumbai. The group defended themselves by saying that the channel glorified the love story and was anti-national.

Long before Zee telefilm premises was barged by some group having an association with Nationalist Congress Party. The rage was ignited due to a satirical show Ghadalay Bigdhalay.

Similarly Pakistan’s Geo news was rummage through by the police because it covered the news related to illegal sacking of the then Chief Justice of Pakistan.

There are also many such other incident where such custodian have gone crazy and have tried every bit to slap media for telling the truth. Such vandalism is also an indication towards the growing intolerance in our society. The radical behaviour of such group has become a daily phenomenon. There should be stricter law to punish those who not only harm the fourt pillar of democracy but also defy the very concept of freedom of expression given in our constitution.

A country where power of media is savaged becomes blind followers of rumours and speculations.