Bengaluru, September 18 (Daily Kiran) : Senior Karnataka BJP leader R. Ashok has voiced strong criticism of the state government following the filing of an FIR against a journalist who reported on controversial remarks made by police inspector T. Narasipur during a Ganesh Visarjan procession. Ashok emphasized that journalists play a vital role in presenting facts, and taking action against them for reporting on contentious statements undermines freedom of expression and press freedom.
The controversy erupted after a video surfaced showing the police inspector making remarks during a peace meeting regarding the Ganesh procession. The FIR was filed against the journalist who recorded and published the video. The BJP has labeled this action as an attempt to intimidate journalists and suppress the truth.
Ashok stated, “This incident highlights the Congress government’s mindset, which I deem unconstitutional and anti-Hindu.” He pointed out that a local media representative was summoned to the police station to report on the peace meeting, after which the video was broadcast.
He questioned the justice of filing an FIR against the journalist who captured the video. “If the police officer’s statement was indeed correct and lawful, on what grounds was the FIR filed against the journalist?” he asked, alleging that this move is an effort to silence media voices.
The BJP leader stressed that this issue transcends the individual journalist’s case. “It is about the constitutional right to freedom of expression. Where is the media’s freedom? Where is the right to ask questions? Where is the freedom to report on government activities? Is this reminiscent of an emergency situation?” he inquired.
Ashok also criticized the government’s approach to the Ganesh festival, accusing it of imposing restrictions on Hindus celebrating their festivals. He questioned whether citizens would need multiple permissions from the government, authorities, and police to celebrate.
He referenced a recent controversy involving former minister B. Nagendra, claiming that when he demanded Nagendra’s resignation, the Congress government raised caste-related issues. He expressed concern over the FIR filed against a Dalit journalist in the current case, questioning Congress’s commitment to the freedom of expression for a Dalit journalist.
“If Congress seeks to gain political mileage in the name of Dalits, do they not see the violation of a Dalit journalist’s freedom of expression?” he remarked, asserting that he would stand with journalists if media freedom is compromised or if voices questioning authority are suppressed.
Addressing Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar, Ashok insisted that the law should be equal for all. He stated, “If the journalist has committed a crime, it should be investigated according to the law. However, making a journalist an accused merely for recording and reporting an official’s statement is extremely dangerous for democracy.”
He urged the state government to conduct a transparent investigation into the matter and publicly clarify the basis on which the FIR was filed against the journalist. The controversy began after Inspector Dhananjay’s comments during a peace meeting with Ganesh festival organizers, where he instructed them to follow the approved route for the procession and warned against taking it near a mosque.
Police officials clarified that the traditional routes for the procession remain open, and organizers were only asked to inform authorities about the procession’s path and adhere to safety and law enforcement regulations.
Following the controversy, Ashok led a large protest outside the T. Narasipur police station, resulting in the Congress government granting permission for the Ganesh procession to proceed near the mosque.
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