The day of conventional warfare seems over, despite the fact that 583 days have rolled by since Russia declared a limited military offensive against Ukraine. War is a lot of preparatory activities, media influence, and more covert actions than overt actions in the enemy territory.
India has been affected by such enemy actions as Pakistani terrorism and the Chinese, in the guise of economic help to many of India’s neighbouring countries like Sri Lanka, Nepal, the Maldives, Myanmar, etc., surrounding our nation. A section of Indian media opposed to the ruling party often joins hands with the enemies in propagating their ideologies for short-term gains.
It comes as no surprise, therefore, that the government steps up the heat on suspected enemy-funded media through whom influencers pump in money and their versions, fomenting unrest and disquiet in the country by promoting agitations like the farmers’, NGOs’, ethnic, communal, and religious. Many peaceful beginnings end with violence and damage to government properties and lives. The role of a section of the media cannot be ruled out in precipitating the disturbances at the behest of foreign forces, which is inimical to India’s growth.
The latest is the government’s raids on NewsClick, the media house alleged to have been funded by Chinese interests to the detriment of India. A few arrests have been made by the media house, and the agencies have questioned many consultants attached to NewsClick. The Editors Guild of India has criticized the raids and arrests, calling the day reminiscent of the emergency days when many journalists were jailed.
If journalists were jailed during the emergency days, it was for merely opposing the government, but the present scenario may be different. India, as none can deny, is under attack from various quarters, aided and abetted by our enemies. Indian economic growth is heart-burn for many who try to foment trouble at our borders through terrorist infiltrations and communal disharmony. A few politicians play host to these divisive forces, merely because of their opposition to the ruling dispensation led by PM Modi.
I am for freedom of speech and expression, as in a true democracy. However, such freedom must be exercised with reasonable responsibility and maturity. The present raids and arrests are related to economic offences, which are actionable under the present laws. I hope those arrested are able to justify their roles and actions to seek bail and exoneration through the courts. If, however, the allegations prove to be true, the support of the Editors’ Guild must be withdrawn, and they must be tried like anyone else.
A few arrested are personally known to me, and my heart believes that they may be victims of a deeper ploy and would come out unscathed. If otherwise, the law must take its course to come to its logical end.
My stand has always been, and always in the future will be, ‘Nation first.’
Jai Hind!
Sampath Kumar
Intrépide Voix
