The Hindu : United protest against gagging Press

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Nov 13, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Tamil Nadu

United protest against gagging Press

By Our Special Correspondent

Leaders of various political parties, including M. Karunanidhi, K. Anbazhagan, Arcot N. Veerasamy (DMK); N. Sankaraiah (CPI); E. V. K. S. Elangovan (Congress), and N. Ram, Editor-in-Chief, The Hindu, people from all walks of life at a human chain protest in Chennai on Wednesday. — Photo: K. Pichumani

CHENNAI NOV. 12. In a major show of Opposition unity for a public cause, leaders and cadres of various parties today joined hands in various parts of the State to register their protest against the ``dictatorial attitude'' of the AIADMK Government and its continuing assault on Press freedom. It was also to protest against the jailing of the DMK MLA, Parithi Ilamvazhuthi, for breach of privilege.

Holding aloft placards and party flags, the participants raised slogans decrying the State Government's efforts at gagging the Press and usurping democratic rights.

In the city, the human chain started from near the Munroe statue on Anna Salai and wound its way along the artery to reach the State Guest House, Chepauk, on Wallajah Road.

The DMK president, M. Karunanidhi, and the general secretary, K. Anbazhagan; the Tamil Nadu Congress working president, E.V.K.S. Elangovan; the Congress leaders, Jayanthi Natarajan and K. V. Thangkabalu, the Union Minister, M. Kannappan of the MDMK; the CPI and CPI (M) leaders, R. Nallakannu, and N. Sankaraiah; the Puthiya Tamizhagam founder, K. Krishnasamy; the Makkal Tamizh Desam leader, S. Kannappan; leaders and volunteers of the Tamil Maanila Desiya League, the Indian National League, the All-India Moovendar Munnani Kazhagam, the MGR Kazhagam, the Congress Jananayaga Peravai and members of People's Watch-Tamil Nadu were among those who participated in the agitation.

Besides the political parties, the Editor-in-Chief of The Hindu, N. Ram; journalists, members of the Hindu Office and National Press Employees Union and actors Chandrasekhar and Thyagu joined the protest.

The demonstration came close on the heels of the Assembly awarding a 15-day imprisonment to five journalists of The Hindu and one of Murasoli, for allegedly committing a breach of privilege, and subsequent high-handed police action against the English newspaper. ``Don't stifle Press freedom'', ``Don't foist cases'', ``Is it a Legislative Assembly or a house for awarding sentences?'', placards screamed.

Two persons, disguised as ``a demon and a demoness'' and who were shouting that ``they were out to crush Press freedom'', to highlight the AIADMK Government's attitude to the Press, walked past the human chain formation.

There was a mild flutter when Ms. Jayanthi Natarajan, along with her party colleagues, arrived near the Government Estate. The crowd rushed to greet them. When policemen requested the party volunteers to make way for traffic on Anna Salai, a few demonstrators squatted on the road for some time and raised slogans against the police.

Senior party leaders later persuaded them to join the human chain.

`Jayalalithaa must speak out'

Speaking to reporters, Mr. Elangovan said that when the entire Press in the country was agitated over the assault on Press freedom in the State, the Chief Minister, Jayalalithaa, was keeping quiet.

She should come out with a statement whether what she did was correct or wrong. If she said what she did was correct she should justify it. If it was wrong, she should apologise.

Ms.Natarajan said the Congress always stood for freedom of the Press.

``We have assembled here to protest efforts at suppressing Press freedom''.

The party president, Sonia Gandhi, was one of the first leaders to condemn the State government's action against The Hindu, Ms. Natarajan said.

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