Questioning Press; Mandal 2.0; Game On

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Opinion Watch

Questioning Press

Delhi Police on Tuesday arrested NewsClick founder Prabir Purkayastha after day-long questioning following raids at 100 locations, and the action against media has invited widespread condemnation. The Tribune in its Editorial has slammed the police action, stating that it amounted to “targeted attempt to muzzle the press by the weaponisation of the state agencies”. The daily, however, noted that the probe so far has revealed receipt of Rs 39 crores from questionable sources by NewsClick. Spotlighting India’s 161^st rank among 180 countries in press freedom, the Chandigarh-based daily particularly condemned police action against individual journalists working at the media platform.

The UAPA case was slapped against NewsClick after a report in The New York Times, which claimed link of media portal with Neville Singham, who is alleged to be working for the propaganda wing of China. While fast-tracked probe must be conducted in source of funding, also of other media houses in the same lens, the trend of slapping FIRs against scribes is worrisome.

Mandal 2.0

Deccan Herald in its Editorial has leaned to the argument that the Opposition’s demand for caste-based census is essentially a move to counter the politics of Hindutva of the Bharatiya Janata Party. The Bengaluru-based daily stressed that while the Mandal Commission Report was based on an outdated data base, 1931 Census, the Bihar caste survey has given a definite headcounts of 209 castes. The daily also reasoned that the Mandal 2.0 may resonate beyond the elections.

The caste survey-led debate is aiming at quota within quota template, as promoted by late Karpoori Thakur, while the Rohini Commission Report on sub-categorisation of other backward castes is now with the Centre. The political churning is certainly taking place at fast pace, as the Congress which had opposed the then Prime Minister VP Singh for pushing Mandal politics is the lead voice in the chorus now.

Game On

The Asian Age has given voice to the great excitement about the ICC World Cup beginning from Thursday. The daily has opined that matches in India may provide runs aplenty to batters even while the southern regions face prospects of rains. The New Delhi-based daily hoped that India will repeat the feat of 2011 when M. S. Dhoni had lifted the World Cup in Mumbai after hitting the helicopter six shot, while the likes of Virat Kohli had carried Sachin Tendulkar on their shoulders in the stadium as the victory was dedicated to him.

While Cricket indeed hogs all limelight, the people will serve a greater cause by keeping their focus on the Asian Games where the Indian sportspersons are scripting history, as Parul Choudhary breathed Indian aspiration to sprint in last 10 seconds to win Gold in 500-metre race.

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About The Author

Manish Anand

Manish Anand is a senior journalist with more than two decades of hardcore reporting on beats such as Prime Minister’s Office, Parliament, BJP, Congress, Planning Commission, NITI Aayog, and scores of Union Ministries.

His past has been with The New Indian Express, The Asian Age/Deccan Chronicle, and The Statesman.

For about 15 years, Manish was also a regular commentator and host for talks on AIR on foreign affairs.

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