NDTV India ban: Karunanidhi hits out at Centre, warns of a second Emergency

This action is against the freedom of expression, says Karunanidhi.
NDTV India ban: Karunanidhi hits out at Centre, warns of a second Emergency
NDTV India ban: Karunanidhi hits out at Centre, warns of a second Emergency
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Hitting out at the BJP government for ordering a one-day ban on Hindi news channel NDTV India over its coverage on the Pathankot attacks, DMK President Karunanidhi on Saturday said that the Centre’s move reminded him of the Emergency days and warned the stifling of freedom of expression would lead to a “second Emergency”. 

“This action of the BJP government reminds me of the Emergency period when the articles I wrote in ‘Murosoli’, the party's paper, were censored. This action is against the freedom of expression. If it continues in this vein, it will lead to a second Emergency and those black days will be imprinted in the hearts of the people forever,” stated Karunanidhi in a press release.  

Demanding that Prime Minister Narendra Modi intervene directly to uphold democratic rights and freedom of expression, the DMK chief said the PM has to come forward and state that these freedoms and rights will not come under threat in the future. He said, “Otherwise, the nationwide accusation that this is an autocratic government will come true.”

On Saturday, Information and Broadcasting Minister Venkaiah Naidu defending the government’s decision saying that the ban on NDTV India is in the interest of the country’s security and called the “belated criticism” of the government’s move “ill-informed and politically inspired”. 

Opposition leaders across the country have slammed the BJP government for ordering the channel to go off-air for a day.  Calling the BJP government’s decision authoritarianism and intimidation, Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi tweeted that he found the decision “shocking and unprecedented.” 

Demanding that the ban be revoked, MDMK Chief Vaiko called it an attack on democracy. He said that it brings back the dark history of Emergency. 

On Thursday, the I&B Ministry ordered a ban on NDTV India for a day on November 9 for violating broadcasting rules. The ministry stated that the channel had revealed “strategically sensitive” information when the terror attack on an IAF base was being carried out, said a report

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