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| Dabbling of working journalists in politics not a good omen | | |
EARLY TIMES REPORT
JAMMU, July 12: Should working journalists dabble into politic and organize political activities? They should not. They must avoid. They can organize demonstrations if the authorities seek to impose curbs on the fourth estate. They can protest if the undemocratic authorities gag the press. But they cannot take part in political activities while associated with the media houses. Their duty is to report. They can also give their views because news without positive views is no news. They cannot and must not become tools of one political formation or the other because in that case their reporting would not be considered impartial or without bias. Their duty is to present an accurate picture of facts, bring to the notice of the general public the wrong doings of the government and the political parties and educate the public opinion. They cannot, like the politicians or separatists or extremists, really afford to become part of a movement that is controversial and that gives legitimacy to subversives and anti-national elements. It would be a saddest day if the working journalists, instead of using their pen to dissemination information, take a plunge, come on the streets and organize activities in support of the controversial elements.
Unfortunately, it is happening under the nose of those dealing with the press and owning media houses and it doesn't augur well for the fourth estate, the Indian state and the people at large. That it has started happening is a fact and the worst part of the situation is the association of the Delhi-based Kashmiri journalists, all belonging to a particular religious group, with those who have set the Kashmir Valley on fire, thus forcing the authorities to swing into action and impose various kinds of restrictions, including imposition of curfew and deployment of the army in the main trouble spots.
It is pertinent to mention here the Delhi-based Kashmiri working journalists organized on Sunday a protest demonstration in the Delhi's Parliament Street. They did it not for the freedom of the Press and not because the authorities in New Delhi had contemplated to impose curbs and restrictions on the fourth estate, but to express their solidarity with what the Union Home Secretary terms as "unruly mobs" and separatists. It happened for the first time in 63 years that the Kashmir-based working journalists took this disturbing step aimed at lowering the position in the eyes of the civilized world, painting the Indian State black and telling the world that the Indian State is violating the "human rights of Kashmiri people (read Muslims), lowering the image of the Indian Army and strengthening the cause of separatists in Kashmir.
What did the protesting Delhi-based Kashmiri working journalists do and say on the controversial occasion? They protested against the "Indian military's response to people's right to protest". They described it as "ruthless military response to peaceful (separatist) movement in Kashmir" and they accused the Army of "killing unarmed civilians across the Valley." They said that the 8 lakh armed forces in Kashmir are "shielded with draconian and black laws" and they are also "aided with 'people hostile' incapable administration, biased non-state bureaucrats and communal military personal deployed in Kashmir."
"We Kashmiris, living in Delhi feel morally obliged to make this statement today. Because we are witness to the escalating conditions induced by militarized governance, and the severity of psychosocial dimensions of oppression in Kashmir…Kashmir is not a "problem" but a conflict zone. India's militarization is aimed at territorial control of Kashmir, and control over key economic and environmental resources in the region, including those of the Siachen glacier…India's political dominance hinges on its ability to possess Kashmir. Institutions of democracy - the judiciary, educational institutions and the Indian Armed forces are neutralized by the Government of Jammu and Kashmir as they function in tandem, continuing military governance. State violence seeks to undermine people's capacity to resist and solicit collaborators…" What did they demand?
other streams including doctors, developmental aid workers, managers and academicians participated to voice their resentment against the ruthless response of more than 8 lakh armed forces, Protestors carried placards and banners that read 'Stop Killing innocents and humanity in Kashmir' and "Is this the face of democracy or demon-cracy?", " Respect the right of people to Protest", 'Stop war crimes in Kashmir', Save Humanity & Human Rights', 'Withdraw 8 Lakh Armed Forces from Kashmir', 'Scrap AFSPA and other Draconian laws', and 'End the Rule of Curfews and Censorship'.
Protestors asked the media persons covering the event that even a child can understand that protestors can never be terrorists because protestors demand justice; by blaming the mass protests as anti national, the Indian ruling elite are only mocking at their own claim of Kashmir being an integral part of India.
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