06-17-2007, 02:23 AM
Police to SC: TV fanned Gurjjar flames, old footage called âliveâ
Tannu SharmaPosted online: Saturday, June 16, 2007 at 0000 hrs Print EmailBANDH : SC asks amicus curiae to look at TV coverage; Rajasthan DGP cites US media post- 9/11 as model
NEW DELHI, JUNE 15: Responding to the wrath of the Supreme Court, which called disruption and violence following the Gurjjar agitation a ânational shame,â state police chiefs have said that television news channels and their coverage was to blame.
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âThe manner of telecast by 24X7 news channels perhaps was a contributing factor in the wide spread of violence to places beyond those at which blockade call was given,â A S Gill, Director General of Police (DGP), Rajasthan said in his affidavit filed before the apex court today.
In his affidavit that detailed the events during the weeklong agitation by Gurjjars in the state seeking inclusion in the Scheduled Tribes (ST) category, the DGP even cited the response of US media after the 9/11 tragedy as a role model for what he considered responsible behaviour. âIn the aftermath of the 9/11 World Trade Center tragedy, the US electronic media refrained from telecasting images of any dead body,â the DGP pointed out.
He asked the court to take a serious view of the issue ârelating to the impact, effect and ethics of the local and national media with reference to these events and incidentsâ and he underlined: âThe telecast did not in any manner contribute in bringing about peace, harmony and amicable relationship between the citizens and the Government.â
For the record, the Rajasthan police claimed to have carried out 2,081 preventive arrests and registered 352 FIRs under various sections of IPC and Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, 1984. Until date, 265 accused are in jail and 68 are on bail, the affidavit said.
Besides Rajasthan, police chiefs of UP, Haryana and Delhi were also asked to respond. The hearing is scheduled for June 18.
While appointing senior advocate Rajiv Dhawan as amicus curiae, the Court also directed him to consider the footage of news coverage on the agitation from various TV channels.
In their affidavit, the Delhi Police, too, blamed media coverage saying, âIn some places, protesters hitherto peaceful became belligerent and tried to resort to violence on seeing the electronic media. It would not be out of place to mention that some of the electronic channels have given highly exaggerated and distorted version of the events,â H M Meena, DCP Headquarters, said in the affidavit.
Although the DCP admitted some major incidents of violence were reported on June 4, the day of the bandh, he said that even though the situation was quite normal after 12.30 pm, âthe same picture of violence was being shown with a caption âLiveâ.â
Besides, all the states filed their Action Taken Report (ATR) on the cases registered and people arrested. Haryana DGP R S Dalal said that nine FIRs were registered in five districts of the state.
Tannu SharmaPosted online: Saturday, June 16, 2007 at 0000 hrs Print EmailBANDH : SC asks amicus curiae to look at TV coverage; Rajasthan DGP cites US media post- 9/11 as model
NEW DELHI, JUNE 15: Responding to the wrath of the Supreme Court, which called disruption and violence following the Gurjjar agitation a ânational shame,â state police chiefs have said that television news channels and their coverage was to blame.
Related Stories Rs 2.5 cr: Thatâs the toll Gurjjar stir has taken on NH-11
Bainsla set to bring quota battle to Delhi
Raje steers clear of quota conundrum
Now, Gurjjars seek SC relief from âharassmentâ
Bainsla fighting charges, new Gurjjar front emerges
âThe manner of telecast by 24X7 news channels perhaps was a contributing factor in the wide spread of violence to places beyond those at which blockade call was given,â A S Gill, Director General of Police (DGP), Rajasthan said in his affidavit filed before the apex court today.
In his affidavit that detailed the events during the weeklong agitation by Gurjjars in the state seeking inclusion in the Scheduled Tribes (ST) category, the DGP even cited the response of US media after the 9/11 tragedy as a role model for what he considered responsible behaviour. âIn the aftermath of the 9/11 World Trade Center tragedy, the US electronic media refrained from telecasting images of any dead body,â the DGP pointed out.
He asked the court to take a serious view of the issue ârelating to the impact, effect and ethics of the local and national media with reference to these events and incidentsâ and he underlined: âThe telecast did not in any manner contribute in bringing about peace, harmony and amicable relationship between the citizens and the Government.â
For the record, the Rajasthan police claimed to have carried out 2,081 preventive arrests and registered 352 FIRs under various sections of IPC and Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, 1984. Until date, 265 accused are in jail and 68 are on bail, the affidavit said.
Besides Rajasthan, police chiefs of UP, Haryana and Delhi were also asked to respond. The hearing is scheduled for June 18.
While appointing senior advocate Rajiv Dhawan as amicus curiae, the Court also directed him to consider the footage of news coverage on the agitation from various TV channels.
In their affidavit, the Delhi Police, too, blamed media coverage saying, âIn some places, protesters hitherto peaceful became belligerent and tried to resort to violence on seeing the electronic media. It would not be out of place to mention that some of the electronic channels have given highly exaggerated and distorted version of the events,â H M Meena, DCP Headquarters, said in the affidavit.
Although the DCP admitted some major incidents of violence were reported on June 4, the day of the bandh, he said that even though the situation was quite normal after 12.30 pm, âthe same picture of violence was being shown with a caption âLiveâ.â
Besides, all the states filed their Action Taken Report (ATR) on the cases registered and people arrested. Haryana DGP R S Dalal said that nine FIRs were registered in five districts of the state.