Media Blackout: Bajrang Dal activist caught for Manipal gang rape, VHP leader arrested for serial blasts in Mathura

The sensational gang rape of a girl student in Manipal in coastal Karnataka was solved as police arrested a Bajrang Dal leader and his two other associates for the crime.

Just a day later, a Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader was arrested for serial bomb blasts in Kosi Kalan in Mathura in Uttar Pradesh (UP).

Both were important reports but were largely ignored. Mainstream media didn't consider them worth reporting.

Even the English TV channels and newspapers that claim to be more inclusive and secular didn't deem it fit to give them the deserved space.

Is there any reason for being soft on the right-wing extremist groups who claim to be patriotic but are found involved in destructive activities. Manipal rape was a sensational crime for media earlier.

The condition of the victim who studied in the university remains critical. But after his arrest, despite his Bajrang Dal connections, TV channels refrained from naming the organisation. The gang rape accused Yogish alias Yogesh attempted to commit suicide after he realised that he would be caught.

His two other accomplices Hari Prasad and Anand were also arrested. The Bajrang Dal had made a hue and cry over the same incident in Udipi and had 'warned' administration that the culprits should be caught at the earliest. 

In their demonstration, Yogesh's brother was also present. Ironically, the Saffron group had a volte-face when their own man was caught for the crime. Most newspapers didn't even write about the rapist being involved with Bajrang Dal.

Shockingly, Times of India published news when Bajrang Dal & VHP took out demonstration but didn't write a line on Sanghi links when the arrests were made. There were exceptions though like Coastal Digest that didn't try to hide the Bajrang Dal connection of the rapists. But the national media and other news organisations clearly played it down.

Sanghi link to bomb blasts in UP don't make news!

The second news came from Uttar Pradesh (UP). In this case also, the media almost blacked out the arrest of a senior VHP functionary.

This was also no ordinary case. Jagdish Anant was arrested for serial bomb blasts in Kosi Kalan.

Except Mail Today, which belongs to India Today group, no newspaper carried the report. There were complaints about the Hindutva link to the blasts but CCTV footages and evidences clearly nailed Anant. IT was in fact a 'terror case'.

Such cases media loves to play up. But this was not considered 'terrorism' and even not considered to be news worthy! Anant was even found involved in assembling these bombs. This is really a worrying situation where media groups and journalists stop reporting crimes committed by the Hindutva groups.

Is it sympathy for Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh RSS' sister organisations or their fear? What else could be the reason.

Dalit Monuments in UP: Is Media Biased Against Mayawati?

NOIDA: Dalit power close to Delhi

Even as criticism grew over the money spent on monuments in Uttar Pradesh, Chief Minister Mayawati on Friday inaugurated the Rs 685 crore Bhim Rao Ambedkar memorial park in NOIDA lambasing the Congress for ignoring Dalit leaders.

If one went by the reaction among Dalits, it was clear that her gamble has succeeded. Criticism of Mayawati's display of wealth and the construction of huge monuments under her rule, has proved counterproductive for these parties.

It is true that money has been spent. But this is equally true that for the last 64 years, public funds have been spent in similar manner across the country. There was never this much scrutiny or criticism in the past. Dalits do get the impression that Mayawati is targeted by an elitist and 'Upper Caste' media.

Is it that the press is not comfortable with Mayawati's opulence or the assertion of Dalit identity. On CNN-IBN Rajdeep Sardesai's question that wouldn't the money be better spent on hospitals or schools, invited wrath.

For a Dalit who feels pride when he walks into these memorials, there is no such connection. For the weaker sections of the society, it is a historical correction, something which is needed to restore pride among them after centuries of casteist exploitation.

On various TV channels, pro-Dalit speakers retorted:

"Why no one questioned when vast amounts were spent on stadiums in a country that can't afford to splurge money?". "Why government spends crores on Kumbha Melas?". "Why this question was not posed when thousands of monuments were built in different states for decades?"

"If this is misuse of funds, why not the tonnes of gold kept in temples be used for public welfare?". "Why not all forms of luxuries including ACs in government offices or luxurious stay for ministers and babus in five star hotels or travels in flights not questioned?". 

"Why no one is uncomfortable when schemes were named after Gandhi, Nehru, Indira, Rajeev and Deendayal Upadhyay or Shyama Prasad Mookerjee but only questions are raised when memorials built for Mahatma Phule, Dr BR Ambedkar or Shahuji Maharaj?

Clearly, the above mentioned questions indicate that Dalits are troubled by the fact that projects, schemes and monuments named after upper caste personalities have not been questioned but Mayawati's actions are selectively targeted.

In discussions on TV channels, more and  more Dalits are openly speaking up. They are strongly supporting Mayawati, defending her actions and labelling the media as hostile to her. They claim that even though law-and-order situation has improved, she doesn't get as much credit for her.

The section of Dalits feel that it is for the first time that their heroes are getting the much deserved respect and honour. There is anger that whenever Mayawati displays her jewellery or splurges money, she is attacked but others don't get as much bad press as she has to put up with.

The debate will continue but is it just a question of perspective. Do Dalits feel that for centuries they were denied entry into temples and now they are rediscovering their heroes and giving them proper place to secure honour in the casteist society.

So shall the society and journalists make an exception for Mayawati and be less harsh on her! The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief knows well that her actions appeal to her constituency. That the monuments symbolize Dalit pride.

Perhaps, India not given proper place to Dalit icons till now. Or just mere symbolism by naming a few places after Ambedkar. But the Dalits want more. They want equality.Ter opulence and wealth give the so-called lower castes a sense of satisfaction.

The fact that apart from Kanshi Ram, she also has got her own statues installed, is criticised more often. Each of her monuments has sent a strong political message. Now the monuments have come up not in Lucknow or  Agra but close to Delhi, the national capital.

 The sprawling park in Noida on the border of Delhi, unnerves the Congress. BSP's hold on Congress' traditional vote bank, the Dalits, gets stronger despite Rahul Gandhi's visits and stays at Dalit houses in UP. Understandably, Congress doesn't like it. Obviously, the SP, BJP also don't like it.

But does the media also dislike it? This is the million dollar question. It is a well-known fact that mainstream English and Hindi media is largely dominated by Upper Classes and Upper Castes. So is the media really biased towards Mayawati?

Indian Media's softness on LTTE's terrorism

The Al-Qaeda like attack by the LTTE in Colombo didn't generate any outrage in Indian media.

In most newspapers, the air-craft attack in Sri Lankan capital were termed as 'daredevil attacks' by 'rebels' or 'Tamil Tigers'. There was no mention to the word Terrorism.

This is the same Indian media that brands any body who is a mere 'suspect' because of a police version, as terrorist. From SIMI to Abhinav Bharat (Malegaon blast accused case) and Sri Ram Sena, the word 'militant' and 'terrorist' is used quite easily.

Even words like 'Hindu terrorism' and 'Muslim terrorism' are used commonly. But the organisation that is responsible for the first suicide bombing on Indian soil--LTTE is let off easily. Most papers called the attackers as either LTTE guerillas, separatists, Kamikaze or rebels.

None termed them as Tamil Terrorists or LTTE Terrorist or just Terrorists. Its important for Indian media to deliberate discuss and arrive on a definition of terrorism.

Else, it must be answered why the group led by V Prabhakaran that is responsible for killing of former Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi is never termed as a terrorist organisation?

Media's role during Mumbai terrorist attack: Looking for TRP in a Tragedy

Indian media failed to rise to the occasion once again. It was a tragedy that unfolded in Mumbai for 48 hrs but channels didn't appear sombre and regulated.

Instead, they were over-excited and showing everything as if it was a 'live war reporting' though wars aren't reported in this manner either.

There were alerts, flashes, scrawls and breaking new for 50 hrs. The aim was to grab eyeballs. Ads were not shown as the viewer could switch to other channel in the meantime.

The news channels wanted highest TRP in this troubled times, so that they can later demand higher rates for advertisements and stay up on chart.

Much will be discussed in the coming days whether it was prudent to show the positions of police, commandos and officials in the initial stage of encounter in Taj Hotel that left officers, ATS chief Hemant Karkare and others dead.

Celebrity reporters' questionable conduct

Worst was the conduct of the so-called celebrity reporters who wanted their cameramen to zoom on everything as they lay on the ground. A star reporter-cum-anchor spoke lying on the ground to create the impact that he was reporting from warzone.

Others were not sure how to be on the ground and either grotesquely prostrated themselves or laid down on their back or side. The same anchor was drunk when he first appeared in the first hour of the tragedy.

The slur was visible and he was cut short. He later re-appeared on Thursday morning. In the end, all these channels together made a tamasha of the tragedy and served it to audience as if it was any other tamasha.

Where on earth the reporters are allowed to mob such a site? The government also woke up very late and by the time the TV channels stopping showing 'live' [7 pm on Friday], it was already too late. But our electronic media made a mockery of itself.

Biased media coverage: Rajasthan Patrika newspaper vis-a-vis other newspapers

For students of journalism, it can be a good example to see diametrically opposite views in Hindi press about the arrest of Pragya Thakur and her group for the Malegaon blasts.

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.

Journalists for the Elite: Indian Express' crisis & 'Is drug use not a crime for rich!'

Reading the Indian Express story 'Pune's morality police ranting over a rave', one wondered what the paper actually wanted to say.

The dilemma probably was that whether upwardly mobile, rich youth, many of whom were BPO employees [the greatest symbol of India shining] could be blamed for drug use.

The story (Or shall I call it editorial) on front page of Express, tries its best to blame the police for the raid and almost puts the Additional SP in the dock for 'daring to spoil the party'.

Soft on the rich, influential

Were they not having just some little fun! The whole story is written from the point that police wanted publicity and unnecessary brought bad image to Pune.

Isn't it in keeping with the line that when the 'sons or daughters of the famous and rich and well-connected' do an offence, it is just a 'minor slip'?

The fact is that all these youths were doing a crime, a heinous crime, an offence punishable. Poor youths are caught and face the law for minor delinquencies but when the BPO employees get caught, the magnitude of their crime is watered down and they are made to look like as victims.

Just like Fardeen Khan, whose father's infamous comment 'Boys do it' when his son was caught for the same offence. SP MP Abu Asim Azmi's son had also escaped the law when caught with drugs in Gulf. And Rahul Mahajan's case is recent example in the case.

Nobody says that they should get excessive punishment but they should not get any reprieve. These are educated youths and they must be made to submit to the law of the land. 

'Show me the man and I will show you the Rule', this must not be allowed to happen in this country. And if media becomes a tool in this, it is surely criminal.

Unfortunately, Express is not alone in this kind of journalism. Even channels that were quite excited initially later looked soft on these youngsters and sympathetic towards them in discussions. On Times Now, it was quite evident as the anchor didn't grill the lady who was fiercely backing the delinquent youths.

The Indian Express story can be read here.

Khairlanji massacre & national media

'Saqi ki maut pe maikhana udaas hai', the comment was made by a leftist journalist on Jessica Lall's murder and I felt it was in a poor taste then.

Agreed, she was serving liquor, but nobody had the right to belittle her. However, apart from the public outcry and the newspapers carrying the campaign for justice in the case and even going overboard on the issue, the entire national media seems to have ignored the Khairlanji (Kherlanji) massacre (in Bhandara district of Maharashtra).

Only when the Dalit activists came out on streets, held protests and later stromed CM's secretariat, did some papers and channels took cognisance of the heinous crime. Tehelka did carry a report recently by Shivam Vij that is available on his blog.

Is it that the women who were 'gangraped to death and raped even after they died', don't make news because they are no celebrity and the urban India is just not concerned about such massacres!