Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao’s offensive remarks of breaking the neck and burying the media ten feet under the earth has outraged the national media. Editors’ guild has raised a strong objection against the media groups’ ban in Telangana and alleged that his stand against the media is undemocratic and unethical. The president of Editors’ Guild of India, N Ravi has faulted KCR’s move.
Chairman Press Council of India Justice Markandey Katju has also hit out at Telangana Chief Minister saying that KCR’s statement was improper and unacceptable.”This statement of a Chief Minister is, in my opinion, highly improper, highly objectionable and totally unacceptable in a democracy, particularly since it is coming from a person holding a high constitutional office,” said Katju.
Describing the remarks of Telangana CM a direct attack on right to freedom of speech and expression, News Broadcasters Association said it was shocked at the threats made.KCR’s statement came close on the heels of the Association of Telangana Multiple System Operators blocking the TV channels ABN and TV 9 transmission since June 16. It has been alleged that they had aired programmes which has hurt the sentiments of Telangana spirit.