Press Note Eng Dt: 22/11/2013
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Office of Shaktisinh Gohil
Former Leader of Opposition, Gujarat
Press Note 22nd November, 2013
Regulating entry of journalists saying that there is threat of attack from terrorists posing as journalist is an insult of journalists. Journalists on Sachivalaya beat are known to all, from peons to officers. What is more is that these journalists are issued accreditation by the government itself.
Restriction on entry imposed from yesterday show that Chief Minister does not want people to know about his misdeeds. He has imposed this ban the day he was exposed through news of snooping a lady, misuse of police and administration for personal gain, instructions to put behind bars an innocent officer for more time than imprisoned Vanzara. Telephone tapping violating Telegraph Act and guidelines of Supreme Court, misuse of Anti- terrorist Squad, IB, crime branch to shadow a lady, to assign the job of ‘ security’ of a woman to make police personnel instead of female staff and award of contract of crores to family of the lady to strike a deal with her. By this he has murdered democracy.
Gujarat had a long tradition to have doors of Secretariat and Assembly open for public and press. Earlier CMs used to meet media on certain fixed days. But Modi has set aside all this and made arrangements that only his favourite businessmen and industrialists have access to him in Sachivalya. This is a blot on democracy.
Media is a pillar democracy. Journalists covering Sachivalaya are known to us and they have with them photo ID given by the government. The logic of ban is ridiculous. He does not mind if a terrorist comes posing as terrorist. How much rationale it is to compare journalists with terrorist?
CM is indulging in acts he must stay away. Recent sting operation report shows his mindset for women. He does not want that country should get evidence of his deeds or misuse of public money to fulfill his dream to become PM of India. Obviously for this reason he has banned entry of media in Swarnim Sankul, which is a public property. It is in the interest of transparent administration that media should be allowed to have open access to CM and ministers in the Sankul. Earlier electronic media was banned from covering Assembly and new entire media had been banned from Swarnim Sankul. Deploring this action, senior Congress leader Shaktisinh Gohil has demanded that it is illegal and the ban should be lifted immediately.
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