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The outburst at India Gate |
This is the post-Anna public. And their message to the journalists is also loud and clear. there is no reason to believe that the India which has risen against corruption in bureaucracy, politics and judiciary, would tolerate it in media, |
We stand today in the post-Anna period of India’s history. This is a period when the presumption that public is ‘ignorant’, ‘passive’, ‘has forgotten how to take to the streets’ no more stands true. If the cause afflicts them, if they are given a platform where they can express their plight and register their protest, if they trust the integrity of people giving the clarion call, they shall flock. Yes, the public from all classes, professions, regions and religions can come together, without a mêlée. Being a witness of all the five days and a couple of nights at Jantar Mantar, I can vouch that the so called masses, have demonstrated to each other and to the government, that united we stand.
There is a new found confidence in the public that when they decide so, they can compel an entire government to stoop. And it is this very public sentiment which explains what occurred at India Gate on the evening of 9th April. People had assembled for a candle-light vigil and for celebrating end of Anna’s fast. It was purely a victory of the people that the obstinate government was compelled to concede to all the demands of the campaigners. Barkha Dutt, group Editor of NDTV had come to the spot to record a live show. Typically the people are in a tussle to appear on the camera of a national media channel. But events were to take a different turn.
Somebody mentioned that ‘Isn’t Barkha herself corrupt, an accomplice of Nira Radia, then what moral authority she has to do this show of anti-corruption.’ People around nodded, each telling tidbits from Radia tapes, and criticizing, and one of the voices shouted – “Barkha Dutt dalaal hai” followed by a thundering united voice of the crowd. People, who were until now shouting ‘Inquilaab Zindabaad’ in no time shifted to ‘Barkha Dutt, Go Back.’The atmosphere was electric. Public was aggressive and determined. Barkha was forced to pack up from the spot and was escorted to the OB Van hastily. Other staff from NDTV tried to pacify the crowd in the hope that people would calm down or be dispersed and then Barkha can resume her show. But people continued to holler in unison, long after she had left.
People actually just wanted to assert their morality. Just like the public didn’t allow Sharad Pawar to chair the committee making the anti-graft law, similarly they wouldn’t allow a tainted journalist, no matter how famous or senior she is, to do the show essentially on anti-corruption. The protest stopped only when NDTV staff began picking up the chairs on the stage, dismantling it all for complete pack up. And gradually there was a transition with a trough of anti-barkha slogans and the thumping rising crest of ‘Inquilaab Zindabaad.’
For obvious reasons, despite many cameras being present there, this scene was not covered anywhere. But it is not so easy to push things into oblivion now. By the next day early morning, videos of the episode were up on Youtube thanks to somebody’s proactive and earnest efforts. Barkha tweeted about the incident calling the people as ‘lumpens and rowdies’ only depicting that she isn’t sensitive, rather indifferent to public’s reactions. Now she doesn’t seem to care a hoot about the very same public opinion which had made her into a popular icon.
This is the post-Anna public. And their message to the journalists is also loud and clear.
Appearing on TV screens might make you a known face but doesn’t make you a popular person. Being at a high position in a national media might fetch you handsome salary, but you still have to earn your credibility. Sitting in studios cannot insulate you from public scrutiny. And there is no reason to believe that the India which has risen against corruption in bureaucracy, politics and judiciary, would tolerate it in media.
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