Kejriwal’s controversial circular on ’defamatory’ news sparks criticism

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, May 10:  Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal accused the media of accepting a contract to finish off his Aam Aadmi Party and called for their "public trial", the Delhi government has released a controversial circular asking officials to report defamation against any news item published against the chief minister and his ministers.

According to the circular, issued last week by the Directorate of Information and Publicity Department, if any officer associated with the Delhi government feels that the published or aired news item damages his or the government’s reputation, he should file a complaint with the Principal Secretary (Home), so that further action can be initiated.

 

"If as per the opinion of the Director (prosecution), offence of defamation is made out, the Principal Secretary will refer the matter to the Law Department for examining the matter and obtain the sanction of under section 199(4) of the CrPc," the circular says.

Today, Mr Kejriwal came under sharp attack by the opposition over the circular, with the Congress lashing out that he is afraid of the media and the BJP saying he is just trying to create confusion.

"As soon as he came into power he barred the media from coming into secretariat... Kejriwal is afraid of the media... This whole situation is a big target on the democracy of our country and the freedom of speech of the people," said Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee President Ajay Maken.

"This circular indicates that Kejriwal’s government is a bundle of contradictions.  His aim is to spread confusion. On one end he himself appeals against the defamation case leveled against him... On other hand his own government takes action against anyone who criticizes the government," said BJP leader Nalin Kohli.

Last week, Mr Kejriwal had called for a "public trial" of media groups. "There is a need for a public trial of the media to expose their bias," the Chief Minister had said, alleging that "a large section of the media" had tried everything to tarnish his party’s image.

To support his allegations of bias, he accused the media of deliberately not reporting an auditor’s report on violations by Purti, a company linked to union minister Nitin Gadkari.