Shimla: BJP State Media In-Charge Karan Nanda launched a scathing attack on the Congress government, accusing it of suppressing media freedom.
Referring to a viral video of a Cabinet-rank media advisor to the Chief Minister, Nanda criticized the behavior displayed in the footage.
"It is evident in the video that a journalist was attempting to convey the people's voice to the Congress leader. The way the journalist was treated is unfortunate.
If a journalist asks questions, the leader should answer, not lose their temper, demand the camera be turned off, or attempt to remove the journalist from their office," he remarked.
Nanda further questioned the government’s intentions following a recent High Court ruling concerning the tourism department. “The BJP has consistently asked what steps the government plans to take after the High Court decision.
Are these hotels being handed over to the Chief Minister’s close associates? If journalists seek clarity on whether these hotels will shut down, how can they be at fault?”
Highlighting the role of journalists, Nanda said, “Media acts as a bridge between the public and the government. Congress is the only government that has tried to demolish this bridge.
The persistent attempts to suppress journalists' voices are deeply unfortunate. The Congress government seems to get rattled whenever any news is published or aired against them, showing how intolerant they are towards criticism."
He alleged that Congress has made systematic efforts to undermine media institutions, terming it a direct attack on the fourth pillar of democracy.
“Whenever issues like these have been raised, such as by BJP MLA Randhir Sharma in the Assembly, the Chief Minister has chosen to remain silent.
This silence speaks volumes and exposes Congress’s media-hostile mindset and its tendency to evade accountability,” Nanda added.
Taking aim at the Chief Minister’s media advisor, Nanda said, “Despite being associated with media for a long time, this individual has resorted to such behavior, tarnishing the Congress’s image further. This incident reveals the true face of the Congress government to the public.”
The BJP condemned these actions in the strongest terms, calling on the government to respect journalists' roles in a democracy and ensure their freedom to question and report.
