CITIZENS AND MEDIA PERSONS SOLIDARITY MEETING AGAINST SEDITION CHAGE ON TIMES OF
A charge of sedition has been filed against the Times of India, Ahmedabad edition, because it exposed the nexus of the City Police Commissioner Mr. O.P. Mathur with the underworld don. The story of the news was how safe is Ahmedabad under Mr. O.P.Mathur.Earlier the journalist staged a spirited demonstration before the office of the Police Commissioner, Shahibaug, Ahmedabad joined by the activists and the concerned citizens.The journalists met the Governor Mr. Navalkishore Sharma.
The Sedition charge against the Times of India developed a unique solidarity of the media persons and the concerned citizens and the activists.A series of activities on freedom of expression are going on in the city.
The citizens of Ahmedabad came out and condemned sedition charge and stood for freedom of press and freedom of expression. On 5th. June A Citizens' meet was organised at Himavan, Paldi by Movement for Secular Democracy (M.S.D.), People's Union for Civil Liberties ( P.U.C.L.) and PRASHANT to protest against the Sedition charges against ' Times of India' and to uphold the freedom of expression.Concened citizens belonging to all walks of life joined the meeting. They were jurists, academicians, columnists, activists, students, youths and ofcourse media persons. The journalist friend of Times of India, who is facing the charge of sedition (along with the resident editor and the photographer), Mr. Prasant Dayal, who carried the news on Mr. O.P.Mathur was also present and was greeted warmly as soon as he entered the hall.
The introductory speech was delivered by Mr.
The meeting was addressed by Advocate Mr. Girishbhai Patel, eminent citizen Mr. Prakashbhai Shah,. noted journalistm.Mr. Urvish Kothari, senior journalists Mr. Rathin Das, Mr. Digant Oza .Fr. Cedric Prakash of PRASHANTand Prof. Dineshbahi Shukla.
Media persons Mr. D.P. Bhattacharya of India Express, Mr. Dilip Patel of Times of India,Mr. Ashis Vasi , Vishal Patadiya too expressed their anguish
.Of course Mr. Prasant Dayal spoke in the meeting.
Ms. Ilabehn Pathak of AWAG,.Prof.Ghanshyam Shah, Mr. Indukumar Jani. Editor, Nayamarg Mr. Harinesh Pandya, campaigner of RTI Mr.Vithkbjai Pandya, the father of slained Harin Pandya, Prof.Dhavalbahi Mehta,Ex BJP MLAMr. SunilOza,Mr. Rajanibhai Dave ,editor, Bhoomiputra,Mr. AshokChatterji, ex Director N.I.D., Mr. Mahadev Vidrohi of Sarvoday, and others actively participated in the discussion and made valuable suggestions
Noted Sarvoday leader Sri Chunibhai Vaidya was present in the meeting. Apart from him Prof. Abid Shamsi, Sri Dilip Chandulal,Suvarnabehn, Damayanti behn,Sri Arunbhai Thkore, Sri Himmatbbhai Shah, Sri Jayesh Patel,Ms. Ramabehn Vora,Ms. Meenakshi Joshi, Ms. Sarah behnBaldiwala,Ms.Verona D. Souza , Mr. Bhavik Raja,Mr. PravinShah and many others from all walk of life were present in the meeting.
A resolution was unanimously passed
The Resolution
The sedition charge against the Times of India is a matter of great concern for all the democratic minded people in the society. The meeting of the citizens condemns the charge of sedition filed against Times of India and term it as a direct assault on freedom of Press, which is the fourth Estate in a democratic country. Registering the case against Times of India is a deliberate action of Police to suppress the voice of dissent of the press and create an atmosphere of panic in the state, where violation of human rights and Democratic rights is becoming a regular practice of the Police and Govt. in Gujarat in overt and covert fashion for last so many years.
The features carried by Times of India exposing the close nexus between Police officer Mr. O.P. Mathur with Mr. Abdul Latif , is not only appalling but raises serious question about the credibility of the Police Officer in high rank and level criminalization of Police in the state.
The Ahmedabad city Police Commissioner Mr. O.P.Mathur instead of responding to the documented investigative report published by the Times of India either by refuting the charges or by filing defamation case but to treat the reports questioning his competence as amounting to excite hatred, contempt or dissatisfaction to wards the Govt. reflects his undemocratic character and audacity to equate himself as Govt. established by law.If Mr.Mathur has acted with the approval of the Govt. ,it exposes how the state attempts to suppress democratic dissent., which can be a British colonial hang over.
So, we consider any threat to freedom press and freedom of expression by any quarter of the administration is a direct threat to democracy and perpetuate fascist type of rule
The role of media as the watchdog of democracy and it's role to disseminate right information to the citizen is always indispensable, which we consider the Times of India has been performing.
So we demand-
1-With drawl of the charge of sedition and conspiracy immediately
2-Institute a high level judicial enquiry on the charges against Mr. O.P. Mathur
3-The column of Sedition be scrapped permanently.
4-A delegation of the citizens will meet the Governor of Gujarat
5- A State Level conference will be held on 22nd June On Freedom of Expression.
6- The Home Minister of Gujarat should come out with the clarification on the charge of Sedition against Times of India
News By
GAUTAM THACKER
DWARIKANATH RATH
FR. CEDRIC PRAKASH
Date- 6-6-08
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