Alok Mehta wrote a special editorial in Nai Dunia, the latest Hindi daily to have started publication from Delhi. He said that media had been soft on Hindutva groups and the firebrand Sadhus-Sadhvis. See the excerpt on the left.
Jagran played up the news with sensational headlines. Dainik Bhaskar tried its best to keep the news hidden in a corner and published the photo of Sadhvi with BJP leaders, after other papers had printed it, and it became a necessity.
But some papers even went to the extent of defending her. One column in Rajasthan-based newspaper, Patrika, owned by the Kotharis, which is now published from Karnataka and West Bengal also, almost justified the actions of Sadhvi and made fun of the entire situation.
The columnist, Ajay Setia, wrote in his column 'Jantar Mantar' that suggested why it was important to find out why Hindus were turning towards terrorism. On one hand, he seemed excited at the growing ferocity of Hindutva forces and on the other hand mocked at the police claims by saying that he has also bought many second hand vehicles and can be framed easily for a crime.
It was not befitting a respected newspaper that is considered editorially driven and has a history of fair journalism to publish the irresponsibly written piece . The article was in a bad taste and the writer appeared not just prejudiced but also sympathetic to the perpetrators of blasts.
Now compare excerpts of this article to Alok Mehta's article. Isn't it striking to read both the newspapers. The first article is objective and in keeping with the ideals of journalism. The second is written by a journalist who has a narrow-minded perspective. For students of journalism, the lesson is that even if they have allegiance to a particular ideology or party, when they start writing it should be free of that ideological hangover.
Mehta's article is balanced and insightful. You read it and you think over it. You don't gather any ideological leaning in the paper. Setia's article in communal and provocative. You wonder if Rajasthan Patrika has become RSS Patrika. This is the difference.
