Welcoming the apex court’s decision of staying the circular by the Delhi Government on filing defamation cases against media organisations for any news that causes damage to its reputation, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress said it was victory of the democracy. The Opposition parties welcomed the Supreme Court’s stay on the controversial order by the Delhi Government that provided for filing of defamation cases against media and alleged that Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was trying to muzzle dissent.
Both Congress and BJP on Thursday attacked the AAP Government for issuing the circular earlier this month that called for filing of criminal defamation cases against the media. The Delhi BJP also hailed the Supreme Court order, calling it a victory of democratic rights.
“We welcome the Supreme Court order. In democracy, you cannot gag the media. The anti-media circular was aimed at curbing voices of dissent,” said Delhi BJP leader Vijender Gupta.
DPCC chief Ajay Maken said the Kejriwal Government had not only targeted the media but also tried to throttle the voices of its political adversaries through the circular on filing of defamation cases against the media for any news that causes “damage” to its reputation or that of Chief Minister and other Ministers.
Suspended AAP leader Prashant Bhushan said the court had noted that it was the height of hypocrisy that first Kejriwal had asked for criminal defamation to be declared unconstitutional and then used it to prosecute media.
The circular, issued by the Information and Publicity Department, says that if any officer associated with the Delhi Government feels that a published or aired item has caused damage to his or the Government’s reputation, he should file a complaint with the Principal Secretary (Home). The circular also states that after getting a go-ahead from the director (prosecution), the matter should be referred to the law Department and after taking approval from the Government, a case should be filed.
The Supreme Court on Thursday stayed the circular and asked Kejriwal to explain within six weeks why the Directorate of Information had issued “such circular”. The court listed the matter for further hearing on July 8.