Union Minister Anurag Thakur expressed his disapproval of the opposition alliance I.N.D.I.A\’s decision to boycott specific television news anchors during a press conference in Rajasthan, where elections are approaching. Thakur characterized this action as \”Emergency 2.0.\”
According to ANI, Thakur remarked, \”The measures taken by the INDI alliance against the media resemble Emergency 2.0… This illustrates their lack of faith in democracy.\”
He continued, \”In states like Bengal and Tamil Nadu, journalists face legal actions. Now, opposition parties are advocating for their exclusion. Their objective is to suppress the media. There is nothing more deplorable than this.\”
Hardeep Singh Puri, a fellow cabinet member of Thakur, also condemned the opposition\’s actions. He took to a social media platform and posted, \”The only instance of civil liberties being restricted in India was during the Emergency in 1975. Open calls for the elimination of #SanatanDharma, filing FIRs against journalists, and the boycott of the media reflect the politics reminiscent of those dark days of the emergency. Is this the true character of the I.N.D.I. Alliance?\”
The media committee of the I.N.D.I.A bloc compiled a list of news anchors whose programs would not be attended by spokespersons and leaders from the alliance. This list comprises well-known journalists such as Arnab Goswami, Sudhir Chaudhary, Chitra Tripathi, Gaurav Sawant, Shiv Aroor, and others.
Congress leader Pawan Khera conveyed on a social media platform, \”Every day, from 5 pm onward, platforms of hatred are established on television channels. We refuse to be patrons of the \’Nafrat Ke Bazaar\’ (market of hate). Our mission is to create a hate-free India. With a heavy heart, we have decided not to partake in shows and events hosted by certain anchors. We have been countering unfounded allegations against our leaders and false news and will continue to do so. However, we will not permit hatred to permeate society. Hatred will be defeated, and love will triumph.\”