“Godi media” has the licence to go for the kill — as if the absence of one was cramping its style till now. Union law minister Kiren Rijiju on Thursday told journalists that “as Indians, we should all raise our voice against those who defame the country”.
The minister’s immediate target was clear: he had just finished berating Rahul Gandhi, accusing the Congress MP of speaking “lies” about the country on foreign soil.
Rahul had listed in the UK the actions of the Narendra Modi government that imperilled democracy, an act construed by the BJP as defaming India. The “godi media” — media outlets with a servile attitude to the Modi government — has been doing its job remarkably well. It is not clear why Rijiju thought they had to be publicly reminded of their mission.
“Rahul Gandhi spoke lies about the country on foreign soil and for this he has to apologise and we (the government and the BJP) are discharging our responsibility by seeking his apology,” Rijiju said. “And, I want to urge you (journalists), set aside for some time that I’m a parliamentarian or a member of a political party or you are media people. We are all Indians and as Indians we should all raise our voice against those who defame the country,” he added, speaking to reporters at his residence before Parliament was to assemble for the day.
Making the plea twice in his media address, Rijiju said that when the country’s interest was involved, all Indians should defend the country. “You all are media people but Indians after all. We may be working in different professions but we are all Indian citizens. Anything related to the nation will be a matter of concern for everyone,” he said. “All anti-India forces speak on the same lines. The language Rahul Gandhi speaks is the language of the anti-India forces’ gang members.”
The attack was launched as Rahul returned from the UK and attended Parliament. The logjam in Parliament continued for the fourth day with both the government and the Opposition firm on their demands -- for an apology from Rahul and a joint parliamentary committee probe into Adani’s affairs, respectively. In the afternoon, the BJP fielded former law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad to counter Rahul’s remarks. Prasad, however, sidestepped Rahul’s plea for an opportunity to speak in the Lok Sabha to clarify his position and again pressed for an apology for “insulting the country and Parliament”.
Questioned, he said Rahul’s plea was for the Lok Sabha Speaker to decide. Fielding another question about allowing a discussion in Parliament on Rahul’s remarks on democracy, Prasad sought to oppose it, stressing that the comments had been made outside Parliament. Prasad said Rahul had in his media address on Thursday not uttered a word of regret about his remarks in London and said this was unacceptable. He said the BJP would launch a countrywide campaign to demand an apology from Rahul.
“Why is the BJP asking for Rahul Gandhi’s apology?” Prasad asked and replied: “Because Rahul said India’s democracy was under threat and that America and Europe (should) take note of it, meaning they should intervene. Rahul Gandhi didn’t say anything over this today and this is unacceptable to the BJP.” No business could be transacted in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday as Trinamul MPs — expecting the continuation of slogan-shouting by the treasury benches — stood in the Well of the House wearing black masks, to symbolise the gagging of criticism, even before proceedings began. Within two minutes, Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar had adjourned the proceedings till lunch. After lunch, there was no change in the mood of the House and deputy Chairman Harivansh adjourned for the day even faster.
Outside the chambers, Opposition MPs formed a human chain around Parliament House to “protect democracy”.
