Punjab Government on Tuesday extended its support to the media protests against the filing of an FIR against a journalist of The Tribune over the Aadhar leakage case.
Besides Cabinet Minister Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa and PPCC president Sunil Jakhar, Media Advisor to Punjab Chief Minister, Raveen Thukral, joined The Tribune employees in condemning the FIR and demanding its revocation
Bajwa lashed out at the witch hunt unleashed by the Central Government against the journalist over the Aadhar leak story. The filing of FIR against the correspondent amounted to sheer victimisation and could not be condoned at any cost, he said, adding that such acts were violative of the democratic ethos and principles.
Sunil Jakhar said the Centre should plug the flaws in the Aadhar system and ensure that privacy is safeguarded. The entire leakage episode should be investigated, he said.
Both Bajwa and Jakhar said all democratic forces should come together to fight this trend, which, if unchecked, would destroy the very fabric which holds the nation together, they added.
Thukral conveyed Capt Amarinder's to to personal support the agitating employees during a visit their protest site. Though the Chief Minister could not meet them personally as he was ill-disposed, he had assured of his Government's full backing to the media in the interest of press freedom, Thukral told the protestors.
Capt Amarinder was in favour of the Central Government plugging the Aadhar leaks instead of putting the plug on the system which had exposed the loopholes, said Thukral, adding that the Congress Government in Punjab would do its best to fully protect the freedom of the fourth pillar of democracy.