People's Democracy

HUNDREDS of journalists, academicians, intellectuals and students took out a peace march on March 4 in New Delhi condemning the systematic carnage in Gujarat, the criminal negligent role of the state government and the attacks on the media while covering this carnage. The march started from Press Club of India and culminated at Jantar Mantar.

Notable among those who participated in this march was veteran journalist B G Verghese, Frontline editor N Ram, The Times of India editor Dileep Padgaonkar, Hindustan Times senior journalist Amit Sen Gupta, The Asian Age Bureau chief Seema Mustafa , authors Kushwant Singh, Arundathi Roy, veteran Gandhian Nirmala Deshpande, representative of Janwadi Lekhak Sangh Vishnu Nagar and JNUSU president Albeena Shakeel.

The march started from Press Club of India and proceeded towards Jantar Mantar where it converted into a public meeting.

The speakers in one voice were very critical of the Modi government for totally abdicating its responsibility during the carnage. They also took exception to the state governments attempt to blame the media for abetting violence.

Dileep Padgaonkar said that if at all any institution has come out with colours during the Gujarat carnage it was only the media. He said the march was an expression of solidarity of the media which was being hamperered to carry out its job in Gujarat.

N Ram said that the situation could in Gujarat could have easily been brought under control by the state government but it chose to allow the violence to continue unabated for two days. He demanded the resignation of Narendra Modi government.

Seema Mustafa said that there was need to expose the media persons who were playing into the hands of right wing forces.

The marchers raised slogans demanding ban on VHP and resignation of Modi government.

(INN)