NDA govt 'forcing everyone into silence', says Rahul

Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi on Monday took a dig at the BJP-led Union government, saying “it is forcing everyone into silence”.

He was speaking at the release of the commemorative edition of the Congress party-owned National Herald newspaper as part of its relaunch in Bengaluru. Vice President Hamid Ansari released the commemorative publication to mark the 70 years of India’s independence.

Rahul said citizens who want to say the truth had been “silenced” and the “power of truth” had been replaced by the “truth of power”. “What is happening in India today is the imbalance between these two forces. The power of truth is being completely replaced by the truth of power and anybody who attempts to say the truth, who attempts to stands for the truth is pushed aside,” he said.

He referred to the incidents when he was stopped from entering states like Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.

‘Scared to speak truth’

“(A) couple of days ago, I wanted go to Uttar Pradesh. I was stopped. A few days ago I wanted to go to Madhya Pradesh. I was stopped. In India where power simply manufactures the truth. Everybody knows what the truth is. But they are scared to say. They are forcing everyone into silence.

“And, the National Herald has the spirit, a strong spirit, that is not going to be silent. I told the editor (of National Herald), when you want to say against the Congress party, against me, against some of our ideals, I want you to be absolutely comfortable to say those things. Speak the truth. Thousands and thousands of journalists in this country are not being allowed to write what they want,” he said.
Role of Indian journalists

Ansari said journalists

had played an important role in the Independence movement.

“Indian journalists were not merely news providers, they were freedom fighters and social activists who fought not only to rid India of foreign rule but also casteism, communalism and discrimination. Gandhiji was associated with six journals and (was) editor of two newspapers. He published no advertisements. At the same time, he did not want newspapers to run at a loss. Young India and Harijan became his voice.

“He wrote simply and clearly but forcefully. For Gandhiji, journalism was a public service,” he said.
Governor Vajubhai Vala, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, KPCC president G Parameshwara, Cabinet ministers and legislators were also present at the function.