PCC Chief Karan Mahara slams BJP for ‘harassing’ journalist
By Arun Pratap Singh
Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 10 Oct: Uttarakhand Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) President Karan Mahara has strongly criticised the Pushkar Singh Dhami led BJP Government for allegedly harassing senior journalist Ajit Rathi after he raised questions regarding the 90-year lease of valuable IT Park land in Dehradun to a private builder. In a social media post today, Mahara claimed that speaking the truth has become a crime in the country, particularly in the states ruled by what he termed as “double-engine governments.”
It may be recalled that well known senior journalist Ajit Rathi has been served a notice by the SIDCUL authorities for his articles questioning the grant of 90-year lease of two plots of land at IT Park in Dehradun to a private builder. In his report, Rathi has claimed violation of due norms and lack of transparency in the grant of lease. Rathi has, on his social media account, also shared the copies of the tender documents in support of his assertion that norms have been violated and that there has been a lack of transparency behind the award of the tender. Rathi has confirmed that the Police visited his residence to serve notice on him for three consecutive days. Several senior journalists today have questioned the action of the government and have termed it as harassment of the journalist for doing fearless journalism.
In his tweet, Mahara alleged that when a journalist asks questions in the public interest, he is served notices, the police reach his residence, and attempts are made to intimidate his family. He added that the latest example has emerged in Uttarakhand, where the government seems so insensitive and fearful of the truth that it cannot tolerate even legitimate questioning.
Referring to Rathi’s social media post questioning the decision to lease out prime government land meant for IT development and youth employment, Mahara said the government’s reaction was one of anger and reprisal. Instead of promoting the IT industry and creating jobs for the youth, the government has allowed residential flats to be built there. And when a fearless journalist exposed this, he was rewarded with a legal notice and police pressure. For three days, police reached his doorstep, trying to intimidate his family.
The PCC Chief also accused the State Government of silencing dissent rather than answering questions of public concern. He demanded that Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami clarify whether journalism has now become a crime in the state and whether the government has become so intolerant that it fears even the tip of a pen?
Mahara asserted that Uttarakhand was once proud of its freedom of thought, but now that very freedom is under attack. By sending legal notices and using police pressure, the government cannot erase the truth. The truth cannot be imprisoned, and fear cannot silence those who speak for the people. He claimed that his party stands firmly with Ajit Rathi and every journalist who dares to question power. When journalists are silenced, dictatorship begins to speak.
