Almost all political parties and journalists’ bodies criticised Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal for accusing the “whole” media of being “sold out” and threatening to send media people to jail after an enquiry into the issue if the AAP comes to power. Ironically, the party had widely appreciated and thanked the media when it was voted to power in the Delhi Assembly polls.
“The whole media is sold out this time, it is a big conspiracy, it is a huge political controversy. If we come to power then we will set up an enquiry into this. And along with the media people, all will be sent to jail,” Kejriwal had said on Thursday night, hitting out at the media for focusing on his security deployment.
However, as the video went viral, the AAP leader denied making the remarks. “I didn’t say that. I didn’t say anything. How can I be upset with you (media)IJ” the former Delhi CM said.
The AAP called a Press conference on Friday evening defending its leader amidst heated argument between the media and party members. AAP leaders Ashutosh, Sanjay Singh and Dileep Pandey had to fight a battle of words as they were literally cornered by mediapersons who sought clarity on the stand of the party. When questioned about the overnight U-turn of Kejriwal regarding his statement on journalists, senior party leader Sanjay Singh said, “Kejriwal has said that a section of media was implementing the agenda of Modi and the BJP.”
While the AAP faced scathing criticism for being opportunistic and attacking the media when the party’s popularity is on a decline, Ashutosh said, “We have never stopped any kind of probe on us. Similarly, probe should be done on media houses as well.”
While the AAP leader’s comments drew flak from the Congress, the BJP, the NCP, Editors Guild and Broadcast Editors Associations (BEA) also criticised Kejriwal. The Editors Guild said the “repeated attacks” on the media by Kejriwal reflected “an intolerant mindset” that resented any critical scrutiny. “The Guild condemns in the strongest terms the repeated attacks on the media by AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal that violate the norms of decent democratic debate,” a statement by N Ravi, president of the Editors Guild of India, said here.
The Broadcast Editors Association (BEA) termed the AAP leader’s comments as “irresponsible” and said such “vague and sweeping” allegations were aimed at “diluting the credibility of the media which is discharging its responsibility in a fair and objective manner”.
Congress leader and Information and Broadcasting Minister Manish Tewari said the media played an important role in a democracy and those in public life should have the strength to take critcism. “If anyone says such a thing that if he is voted to power he would put the media persons in jail, it is very painful and condemnable,” Tewari said.
BJP leader Arun Jaitley said Kejriwal had made allegations without evidence to support them. “Arvind Kejriwal started as a populist. He has evolved into a demagogue. He can make allegations against anyone and everyone without any supporting evidence. He has little concern for the truth. He believes in repeating the falsehood several times. He convinces himself that facts manufactured by him are true. As a populist in many areas, he is ideology-less,” Jaitley said.
NCP leader Tariq Anwar said that in a democracy the role of the media and its independence is very important and added that creating any pressure on it is not correct. “If he is saying such things against the media, then he must realise that the identity he has today is because of the media,” NCP leader Tariq Anwar said and added he felt Kejriwal should not use such language.
BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad said the AAP leader had got prominence because of the media which showed all his agitations, dharnas and utterances non stop. “Today, the media is criticising him, he is threatening to send the media persons to jail,” he said adding it “showed the real fascist face” of Kejriwal.
Another BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said, “The media made him a hero overnight. And now he is sending the same media to jail. It is for the media what to do with such an organisation.”
Accusing Kejriwal of running away from governance, Congress leader Kapil Sibal said, “He can’t do anything to the media because media is competent”.
CPI leader D Raja said that the AAP leader has been making “hyperbolic statements” in the recent past.