BJP slams INDIA bloc’s move to boycott shows by 14 TV anchors

NEW DELHI: The opposition alliance INDIA on Thursday announced that it will boycott shows of 14 television anchors on several platforms, a decision the BJP compared with the Emergency.

The News Broadcasters & Digital Association (NBDA) said the boycott sets a dangerous precedent and goes against the ethos of democracy.

The media committee of the bloc took the decision to boycott the programmes of these journalists and not send their representatives on debates hosted by them on such channels or platforms.

“Pursuant to the decision taken by INDIA Coordination Committee in its meeting on September 13, 2023, the INDIA parties will not send their representatives on the shows and events of the following anchors,” a statement from the media committee of the opposition bloc said while listing the names of such journalists.

Justifying the action, Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera, who is a part of the committee of opposition parties that took the decision in their virtual meeting, said some channels have put up a “nafrat ka bazaar” (market for hatred) for the last nine years.

The BJP condemned the move with its chief spokesperson and MP Anil Baluni saying in a statement that opposition parties have displayed their repressive, dictatorial and negative mindset.

The BJP strongly opposes such a distorted mindset which curbs the freedom of expression, he said.

“The media was throttled during the Emergency and these ‘ghamandia’ alliance parties continue to work with the same anarchic and Emergency mindset,” he said, alleging that such an “open threat” to the media amounted to suppressing the voice of people.

Khera, however, asserted that the INDIA parties have decided not to legitimise this “hate-filled narrative” which is corroding our society, he noted.

“That was the idea behind this decision,” he said, adding that the opposition bloc does not want to be a party to any such action which adds hatred in society.

“We are not opposed to any of the anchors, but we do not want to be a party to such endeavours,” Khera said, adding that they can create memes or target their leaders but will not create such an atmosphere.

“We will not be customers in this market of this hate,” he asserted.

“We have taken this decision and issued this list with a heavy heart. We hope these anchors will do some introspection and take some corrective measures,” the Congress leader also said.

Union minister Hardeep Puri compared the move to the Emergency that curbed media rights.

“The only instance we have seen of civil liberties being curtailed in India was during the Emergency in 1975,” he said in a post on X.

“Open calls for eradication of Sanatan Dharma, FIRs against journalists and boycott of media reflect politics of those dark years of Emergency. True face of I.N.D.I.  Alliance,” he said.