Biased coverage of the Amarnath protests

Chindu's double standards in covering the Amarnath dispute is appalling. Praveen Swami, while covering the firing against the mob marching to cross the LoC, writes :

Police in the remote mountain town of Kishtwar killed two members of a mob that attacked homes belonging to the region’s Hindu minority.

He does not name the suspects nor does he make any mention of the community of the attackers. Good journalism, if consistently done.

However, two lines down, he adds:

Earlier, Hindu chauvinist mobs initiated several arson attacks against Gujjar Muslims’ homes in and around Jammu.

http://www.hindu.com/2008/08/13/stories/2008081360960100.htm

Strong words. They aren't even "alleged" attackers. They are chauvinists, Hindus,arsonists and brutal attackers . I am amazed that he managed to pack so much into a single line.The benefit of doubt, which is so liberally awarded for some attackers, is denied outright.The principle of not identifying the community of the attackers, that was adopted just a couple of lines above, has been kissed goodbye. Chindu's commitment to secularism and its "unflinching" adherence to the highest principles of journalism is truly hair raising.

Loyalties to the Left Credo but not to the people

Anyone who has observed the long history of the Left in power in various countries has observed the repeated theme of a selected few using themes of class conflict and economic disparity to grab power and hold on to it by any means necessary.
Often the people whose rights they swore to protect are left without any rights and are brutally subjugated. USSR, China, West Bengal, Cuba, Kerala the list goes on.
Somehow the Utopian promises of equality and liberty for the proletariat are written in paper but to no avail. Sure the Chindu and LiC would love to argue the sweeping statements made here, but the facts speak for themselves. Recently given the rampant global rise in oil and commodity prices, even the Chinese government could not force artificial controls on the prices of diesel and petroleum products.
Pallavi Aiyar being the Indian Uncle tom to the Chinese breaks the news with a straight face.

China announced an overnight sweeping rise in its domestic energy prices. Effective from Friday, the cost of diesel is up by 18.1 per cent and that of gasoline by 16.7 per cent. Electricity costs have also been raised.

Wow 18.1 percent. Not your Rs.5 increase for which the CPM Karat Yechury and their goons have been holding the UPA government hostage.
The Chindu decides to treat this with an air of inevitability. Some state governments in India have asked for the UPA govt. to bear some of the hike to ease the burden on common citizens the demands which the Chindu would term as 'populist'. However when the Chinese government decides to do the same for some groups it is for humanitarian reasons.

With one eye on potential public outcry over the latest rise in fuel prices and the added inflationary pressure it is likely to result in, Beijing has been careful to announce an array of subsidies for certain groups to offset the effect of the hike.

I'm sure we will listen to Yechury, Bardhan and co. rally in all parts of the Country and advice the Chinese Government to rollback those prices, in my dreams.
The inherent hypocrisy of the Chindu in not reporting and analyzing human problems across different countries with a similar treatment simply because of the ideology of the people in power is abhorrent. Some of my Chinese friends whose families are suffering with the rise in food prices as high as 50% in some regions over the past few years. However those kinds of true facts would not be published in a newspaper which loves to show one side of the story like the Great Leap Forward.
As a great philosopher, when confronted with starving common people, once said:
"..let them eat cake."

surrogate advertising

During LS2004, there was massive criticism of the NDA's India shining campaign. Chindu was particularly vitriolic in its attack and called it "the worst ever violation" of election code. In 2004, it argued that the fact that the election process has not begun cannot be used as an excuse.

To test this, we have to return to the lavish India Shining campaign on the achievements of the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance coalition, which was clearly a campaign document funded by the taxpayers' money. The Government's justification was that the election process had not begun.

the India Shining campaign was a massive election advertisement contrary to the spirit of electoral principles — the worst ever violation of this type.

Does the same yardstick apply to non-BJP parties? Sadly, NO. The UPA has been showing ads of Bharat Nirman and how "effective" its policies have been in making the rural people "happy". This campaign is no different from NDA's India shining. Why hasn't a word been said against this? Elections are currently underway in karnataka and it is all the more reason for the powers that be to object. The UPA is buying ad slots on IPL matches to "showcase" its achievements. The Chindu (and the ELM in general) have not spoken a word!

Chindu's selective "freedom of speech"

N.Ram upholds freedom of speech when M.F.Hussain denigrates Hindu sentiments.
The Hindu : Opinion / Editorials : An end to Husain’s travails

By quashing the proceedings in three cases against M.F. Husain, the Delhi High Court has sent a strong message against cultural bigotry and moral vigilantism. The order provides a measure of welcome relief for India’s most celebrated painter, who has suffered terribly at the hands of rank communalists and a criminal justice system that failed to factor in the utter ludicrousness of his so-called offence.

Orders such as the one passed by the Delhi High Court are a good precedent and will act as a check on lower courts, which — instead of upholding freedom of expression — have tended to be extremely accommodating of frivolous complaints.

N.Ram objects to freedom of speech when newspapers published the cartoons depicting Prophet Muhammed
The Hindu : Opinion / Editorials : Needless and nasty controversy

Freedom of expression is supremely important. But surely it does not require its champions crassly to cause offence to the faith and beliefs of an identifiable group.

Take the following text from the same article by N.Ram.

This phobia seems to be on the rise, as the publication of vicious cartoons depicting Prophet Muhammed by a Danish newspaper, and their re-publication by several newspapers across Europe, have demonstrated. At a time when Muslims across the world feel deeply offended by prejudiced stereotypes of Islam post-9/11, the cartoons have not just been insensitive, they have been downright provocative.
At the end of the day, the European newspapers have to reflect on the consequences of their actions: eight killed, many more injured, and the anger of hundreds of millions of Muslims worldwide re-fuelled.

Are the same principles laid out by N.Ram, not applicable to M.F.Hussain vis-a-vis Hindus?

This Hinduphobia seems to be on the rise, as the publication of vicious paintings depicting Hindu Gods and Goddesses in obscene manner has demonstrated. At a time when Hindus across the world feel deeply offended by prejudiced stereotypes of Hinduism, the paintings have not just been insensitive, they have been downright provocative.
At the end of the day, M.F.Hussain has to reflect on the consequences of his actions:

Also note Chindu's attitude during the Baroda paintings controversy. It distorted the news to blame one party and supported freedom of speech.

The Hindu : Opinion / Editorials : Hurt sentiments and moral policing

The charge that Chandramohan's works offended Hindu and Christian religious sentiments makes no sense given the context in which the works were displayed.

The below news item about I&B minister's opinion on freedom of speech with respect to religious beliefs has appeared in the "Breaking news" section of Chindu but never made it to the print edition.

NDTV.com: Taslima should apologise to Muslims: Dasmunsi

We are a pluralistic nation and we respect all religions. I love literature and I have nothing against her writing. But that does not mean she can use her pen to insult and hurt the religious belief of the Muslims or for that matter any religion.''

Also, on selectively applying freedom of speech based on religion, see my earlier post highlighting similar contradicting editorial stance on banning movies.

Pardon the wolves, punish the lambs

Often in Bollywood despite a lack of reason the director will introduce a joke bashing a stereotype and those scenes will have no relation with the plot. The Chindu taking a line from those producers decide to do the same in today's Leader page articles. Praveen Swami writes a paean about how there are 2 Americas based on race and the influence it has on the Presidential election. The article can be read here,
http://www.hindu.com/2008/04/22/stories/2008042255570800.htm
He raises some valid historical points. However what was irking me the most in that article was his fact of comparing Jammu and Kashmir with Philadelphia.

Philadelphia’s failure to build an inclusive, egalitarian society has bred a culture of violence. As many as 392 people were murdered in 2007 — 10 of them in a single weekend in April last year that saw bullets flying across the city, including in its normally peaceful centre.
Just how astounding these figures are becomes evident when one considers that last year Jammu and Kashmir, described as “the most dangerous place on earth” by the former President, Bill Clinton, saw 764 combat-related fatalities, of which only 170 involved civilians. Given that Jammu and Kashmir has an estimated population of 7.7 million, five times that of Philadelphia city, the statistics are startling.

Few things stand out here, if only 170 involved civilians then 120 people from the military were killed as per the South Asia Terrorism Portal. The satp article can be read here,
http://www.satp.org/satporgtp/countries/india/states/jandk/index.html
How often do we read an article criticizing the jihadists for killing innocent civilians and military men?
How dare Praveen state that "only 120 civilians" were killed. What if one happened to be his family? Would he have the same disdain to human life? Shame on you Chindu for showing no respect for the lives of Indian civilians

What is right in Kosovo is wrong in Gujarat

Look who is providing column inches to the action - reaction theory. The same theory that was met with derision in Gujarat suddenly becomes a legitimate tool to fight the US.

Having recognised Kosovo’s independence, Washington has openly violated Serbia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. So, why is it angry at a Serbian student who did a similar thing to the U.S. Embassy? Every action has an equal and opposite reaction.

http://www.hindu.com/2008/02/25/stories/2008022553741100.htm

Is Chindu plain stupid to contradict itself so openly or does it think its readers must read any garbage thrown at them?

Who are the 'Others'

It is a pity to see the Chindu these days. It first had to bend over backwards to brush the Nandigram pogrom under the carpet. Now it has to grapple with the Rizwanur murder issue that has snowballed much to chindu's chagrin.So what does it do? Simple. Downplay, under report, hide facts and do anything that will not bring the state government into the picture.

Need an example? Here I go:

The agency, while registering an FIR against Ashok Todi and others under Section 302 of IPC, will now visit the area where Rizwanur's body was found.

http://www.hinduonnet.com/holnus/002200710191802.htm

Now, who are the 'others'?Why does Chindu not want its readers to know their 'background'?Why has there not been an editorial on this issue? Why are concern's about minority insecurity not being raised?

Will you eat your words Ram?

When asked why CBCNN did not report the PM's outburst against the left in the interview the PM gave to 'The Telegraph', Ram said "One newspaper doesn’t generally reproduce what another publishes." Nobody asked him to reproduce the entire interview, but the master spinner chose to project it that way.

But weeks later, he publishes the complete transcript of Narendra Modi's interview with Karan Thapar.

Today, there is a report on Tehelka's 'sting operation' 'exposing' Modi's 'complicity' in the riots.
http://www.hindu.com/2007/10/26/stories/2007102662661800.htm

So what prevented Ram from reporting the PM's Telegraph interview?

Yet another double speak

Chindu gives unsolicited advise on how constitutional authorities must function. But, as usual, the same does not apply when its friends are in trouble.

Under the Indian Constitution, it is surely not the job of a Governor to offer public judgments on how an elected government should have handled a tricky situation

-CBCNN's reaction to WB governor's observations on the Nandigram fiasco.

http://cbcnn.blogspot.com/2007/03/nram-asks-wb-governor-to-shutup.html

Today, you have the commies questioning the EC's decision to hold the Gujarat elections in 2 phases. (Note that they are not bothered about Himachal. No prizes for guessing why.)

The EC knows when and how to conduct elections. It is none of the commies' business.

Also, they were the ones who vociferously opposed a 7 phase election in WB and a 3 phase election in Kerala. Why do they want the EC to do the same in Gujarat?So, what is 'wrong' in WB is right in Gujarat?
http://www.hindu.com/2007/10/12/stories/2007101255641400.htm

Rizwanur v/s Shorabuddin

Remember Sorabuddin Shiek ? The man who was a victim of "fake" encounter. The Chindu worked overtime to "prove" the collusion of the Gujarat government and the state police. It published sensational stories attributed to Geetha Johri, the investigating officer, and declared that the Modi govt was stifling justice. There was a sharp refutal from Geetha herself and CBCNN published an apology the next day.It later became clear that police from Congrees ruled Andhra too were involved . Then CBCNN went slow.

Why are we discussing this case? There is one Mr Rizwanur who died under mysterious circumstances. Rizwanur recently married a Hindu girl against her family's wishes. Why is CBCNN not giving the prominance it gave to Sorabuddin Shiek?

It's simple. Rizwanur died in Kolkata and it is the Bengal police that is getting flak from national media. Did he die in Gujarat for CBCNN to make a spectacle out of it?

No condemnation. No caustic editorials demanding justice.No opinion pieces condemning the government.Only a careful effort to cover the issue from the sidelines without even remotely implicating the state administration.As an add on, you get a generous dose of Brinda Karat visiting the victim's family and assuring them of all help.What else do you expect from a Marxist mouth piece?

Rising intolerance

That the normally big mouthed Liar-in-Chief does not practice what he preaches is well known. He glorifies education standards in Cuba but sends his daughter to America (Columbia University).Another incident that exposed him was his refusal to publish Jayalalithaa's scathing criticism of his coverage of the DMK bandh.She later came out with a press statement slamming CBCNN's bias and even that did not appear in today's edition. Jayalalithaa asked a few pointed and obviously uncomfortable questions like:

1. 
   When the Supreme Court made numerous oral observations against me, you reported them in great detail and never ever "clarified" that these oral observations do not have relevance in law. Why did you do it now?
2. There have been many instances of DMK men taking law in their own hands. You chose to play soft ball. Why now did you have to come up with a full page editorial to discredit the judiciary that took on the DMK govt?
3. 
   What is the logic behind comparing the BJP bandh (in the aftermath of the Hyderabad blasts) and a bandh forced on the people by the DMK that is at power both at the center and the state?Can a government in power willingly paralyse normal life?Why do you have to meekly surrender to the DMK?

Jayalalithaa may not be an angel. But these are extremely valid questions.

The Liar-in-Chief made a futile attempt to justify the DMK bandh by saying

Since then, numerous general strikes, hartals, and bandhs have taken place across the length and breadth of India, involving a plethora of political players and ssues, with nobody in a position to make the fine academic distinctions that the Kerala High Court and the Supreme Court formulated in their judgments

For example, in recent years the Bharatiya Janata Party and the saffron brigade have called for, conducted, and got away with several attempted bandhs. A case in point is the August 27, 2007 Hyderabad bandh protesting against the terror strike at Lumbini Park and Gokul Chat. And what about other forms of protest actions? Willthe Supreme Court rule on what kind of constitutional animal is a ‘rail roko,’ of the kind the BJP State unit staged in Hyderabad in September 2007 against the Sethusamudram project? Does it fall under the definition of a general strike or a hartal or a bandh? Is it constitutional?

So what is he saying? Two wrongs make a right?Had the BJP's bandh been declared unconstitutional, he would not have opposed the SC's views on the DMK bandh? Then the judge's observations would not have been "Constitutionally Off Track"?

What about the rail roko that the DMK ministers staged in the Palakkad Railway division issue(Jayalalithaa made a mention of this too). Why has he chosen to forget this and mention only the BJP's rail roko?

If the BJP got away with the bandh, it is a reflection of the ineptitude of its opponents. Does he want the AIADMK to be spinelss?

Coming to his 2 wrongs make a right reasoning , Ram bites the BJP's head off when it cites the Sikh riots in response to the Gujarat riots.Why is he doing the same now?

Ram lectures on the importance of "democracy","right to free speech", "respecting other views", "encouraging free debate" , "tolerance in a democratic society". If so,why did he not publish Jayalalithaa's criticism?

Any answers Mr Ram?

Govt. brings TN to standstill

The Chindu twists and turns to avoid telling us the reasons for the Government holiday, or is it a bandh. No moral outrage at the DMK's misuse of government machinery for political purposes.



The Hindu : Front Page : Government declares public holiday

Congress bans FTV

But there is no moral outrage among the 'liberals' of The Chindu.



The Hindu : National : FTV banned