People's Democracy

A PUBLIC meeting of journalists organised by Delhi Union of Journalists (DUJ) in colloboration with Press Club of India on November 10, unanimously resolved to fight against the Prevention of Terrorism Ordinance (POTO) promulgated by the Vajpayee government. Seeing this as a draconian measure intended to "smother dissent and wipe out criticism" the journalists decided to organise a united countrywide movement to defeat the POTO. They would wear black badges for a day on a date to be announced later before Parliament's winter session to build up pressure against POTO.

Held at the Press Club of India premises, this public meeting was addressed by renowned journalist and Rajya Sabha member Kuldip Nayar, jurist and human rights activist Justice Rajinder Sachar who is also a former chief justice of Delhi High Court, columnist Praful Bidwai, human rights activist Nitya Subramanyam, JNU scholar Zoya Hasan apart from DUJ president S K Pande.

Terming this ordinance as a legal form of Emergency, Kuldip Nayar called upon journalists to wage a united battle to defeat this draconian measure. "I have personally seen how MISA was misused during Emergency. Now under POTO with the onus on the accused to prove his or her innocence all forms of dissent will be smothered", he warned. The denial of a copy of the ordinance to the Parliamentary standing committee on home ministry - of which he was a member till now showed how the Vajpayee government treats the MP's. He expressed apprehension that using POTO the government would try to further reign in newspaper managements. Taking exception to Advani's labeling of all those opposing POTO as supporters of terrorism, Kuldip Nayar angrily questioned "What do you call those who destroyed Babri Masjid ?" He was clear that they don’t need certificates from such people about their patriotism.

Justice Rajinder Sachar wondered how when on the one hand it is being claimed that terrorism is being tackled successfully, there is need for such a draconian law. He saw this as a clear attempt towards communal polarisation in the run up to the UP elections. Advani's pronouncements that those who don’t support POTO are anti-national is part of a psychological terror campaign, he asserted.

Saying that terrorism cannot be ended through POTO but only through talks, he called upon the opposition parties to pass a resolution in Rajya Sabha on the opening day itself disapproving POTO. He was critical of journalists for not being vigilant when TADA was being misused. He called upon them to look beyond the measures constricting freedom of media and fight against POTO as citizens of the nation.

Media personality Praful Bidwai in his address dealt on the fallacies of Indian media in the coverage of post September 11 events. He felt this coverage was highly biased in favour of Americans and tried to conceal the fact of US state terrorism. Linking up the bombing of Afghanistan with the September 11 attacks in an unquestionable manner revealed this bias. Even if the government agreed to provide written assurances that POTO will not be used against journalists, it was incumbent upon them as citizens to fight for its repeal said Praful Bidwai.

The DUJ president S K Pande called upon the journalists and press workers to be ready for protest actions at short notice starting with observance of "Black Day". He also cautioned them against attempts of "divide and rule" being made by the government.