We cannot accept such a defamatory article against the Chief Minister, says Rajendra Balaji
Minister of Information and Special Schemes Implementation, K.T. Rajendra Balaji, led the AIADMK cadre in protesting Nakkheeran magazine's publication of a “defamatory” article on Chief Minister Jayalalithaa.
“The false news article has angered the party cadre. We cannot accept such a defamatory article against the Chief Minister,” he said.
The Minister, who is also the party's district secretary, burnt copies of Nakkheeran at Tiruthangal, Virudhunagar, Aruppukottai, Kariyapatti, Tiruchuli and Mallankinaru. MLAs, R.B. Udhayakumar and K. Gopalsamy, also participated in the protest.
The cadre also burnt the effigies of the magazine editor Nakkheeran Gopal.
Special Correspondent writes from Chennai:
DMK president M. Karunanidhi said that whatever be the derogatory, demeaning and humiliating nature of a media report, resorting to violence for settling scores was not acceptable when legal avenues were available to bring the media to book. Referring to the attack on the office of Nakkheeran by AIADMK activists, he said “They can go to the court and get justice. Attacking mediapersons and media houses is not acceptable in a democracy.”
Protection sought
A copy of a writ petition seeking a direction to the authorities to give protection to his property and staff was served on Advocate-General, A. Navaneethakrishnan, by Nakkheeran Gopal's counsel on Saturday. Mr. Gopal wanted to file the petition before Chief Justice M.Y. Eqbal at his residence. That was not entertained, but counsel was asked to serve a copy on the AG, enquiries revealed.
Keywords: defamation, Nakkheeran article, Jayalalithaa
It is amusing to read Mr. Karunanidhi's dialogue: "Whatever be the derogatory, demeaning and humiliating nature of a media report, resorting to violence for settling scores was not acceptable when legal avenues were available to bring the media to book. They can go to the court and get justice. Attacking mediapersons and media houses is not acceptable in a democracy.”
Fellow readers would not have forgotten of what Mr. Karunandidhi said in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly after Dinakaran office in Madurai was attacked and two of its employees were burnt to death. All of us know what action was taken up by Mr. Karunanidhi.
Nakkeran Gopal had in collusion with Veerappan(sandalwood smugler) has amassed wealth.With the amount he is running an yellow journal.There should be some check on his baseless comments and allegations.Decent people are not following that magazine.We are surprised "The Hindu" is giving this much importance to the news and the mgazine.
Even though the press has got freedom and liberty, the press Nakkeeran should keep up the ethics and the press code, like the dress code. He can not scribble as he likes, and there is limitation. Just like Mr. Karunanidhi has got followers and weilding influence amoung the mass, every leader too got in Tamilnadu.So Nakkeeran ought to have taken precaution before writting such non sensical things which are not even liked by educated, down drodden, middle income and by the general public too who do not want to support any political party.At certain times, the general public themselves teach good lessons to the huligons and we come accross such things in the day to day life, and there is no necessasity of Ministers, and party cadres take part in such unruly activities. dhana
we must first educate non voilence to all our younger generation and democratic values for all citizens in particularly for those who are in public life. Then this kind of acts will come dowen.
"Nakkeeran's article against late chief minister MGR and defaming CM J Jayalalithaa was a shame to the journalism..
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