This story is from September 3, 2016

Mann, journalists trade charges following Bassi Pathana episode

Outburst of AAP MP Bhagwant Mann at Bassi Pathana town of Fatehgarh Sahib against the media on Thursday has escalated further.
Mann, journalists trade charges following Bassi Pathana episode
AAP MP Bhagwant Mann (TOI Photo)
PATIALA: Outburst of AAP MP Bhagwant Mann at Bassi Pathana town of Fatehgarh Sahib against the media on Thursday has escalated further.
Eyewitness Dinesh Malhotra, who represents a vernacular paper in Bassi Pathana, said that the press was invited for covering Mann's rally at 11 am. "But Mann reached the site around 3 pm which was objected to by the journalists," he said.
He said a journalist went up to the stage as Mann was about to start his speech.
He requested the Sangrur MP to first talk to the reporters and later address the gathering as they had to cover other events, said Malhotra.
The newsperson alleged the MP flared up and spoke against the entire media calling all of them arrogant, corrupt and blackmailers. He asked the journalists present at the venue to leave or they would be thrown out by the people. "Following Bhagwant's remarks, some persons in the gathering manhandled a photo journalist damaging his camera. The journalists walked out after that," Malhotra added.
When contacted by TOI, Mann gave a different version of the event. "As I went to listen to the reporter, he blurted out saying 'Tainu ki akal nahi, tu chaar ghante late aaya hain (Don't you have sense, you came four hours late)."
The AAP leader admitted to have lost his temper. "How can a journalist talk like this to an MP representing several lakh people. Main farishta nahi, ik insaan aan (I am not an angel, just a human being)," Mann said.

The satirist-turned-politician said, "It is media terrorism and not journalism. The way and manner in which some journalists addressed me was provocative. And I reacted to it."
Malhotra revealed that the journalists in Bassi Pathana had decided to get an FIR registered against Mann as he had misbehaved and called on the people to throw reporters out. "The MP also said that media was corrupt as journalists demanded money for publishing news reports or to stop publication of some news," he alleged.
To this, Mann said that mediapersons were also his brothers and sisters. They needed to control themselves, he said, adding that at the drop of a hat they announce boycott of a person.
The AAP leader said, "Where is the fourth pillar of democracy? Termite is eating it and we need to stop it."
End of Article
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA