People in Maharashtra celebrated ‘Marathi Language Day’ on February 27 and the long-standing demand for ‘classical language’ status to Marathi gained momentum once again. Against this background, scholars, litterateurs, journalists and think-tanks on one hand enthusiastically praised the language, but on the other no one expressed their dislike for the current disgrace in Maharashtra politics.
On the contrary, some have taken to social media to cite examples and point out that this style of liberal political culture is prevalent. It is indeed a pity that these well-educated journalists, scholars and think tanks, putting aside their passion for certain political organizations, could have shown the audacity to express their views on the current situation and against the ruling coalition in the state. could raise objections. , But this congregation seems to be in no mood to tarnish neither his writings nor his right to express.
It has been more than two years since the coalition government came to power. Those who fall in the category of thoughtful and well-read should remember the events that happened during this period. Maharashtra is experiencing the dictatorial rule of Shiv Sena ever since it started targeting actress Kangana Ranaut by simply explaining her views. Also the intolerance of the party was seen when action was taken against Union Minister Narayan Rane in connection with the alleged unauthorized construction of his bungalow.
People have not forgotten how a retired naval officer was beaten up inside his house in Mumbai for posting a caricature of the Chief Minister on social media.
Also, the case of Anant Karmuse being dragged to the bungalow of Minister Jitendra Awhad and beaten up is still fresh in the minds of the people. But no one from the ruling coalition government even bothered to object to the use of the cabinet minister’s bungalow for such an act.
Many workers of the Bharatiya Janata Party have faced criticism from the existing government machinery for this style of intolerance. Despite the relentless display of intolerance and dictatorship, the intelligentsia is not ready to give up its silence. Significantly, during the BJP-Shiv Sena coalition government in the state from 1995 to 1999, these journalists and ideologues did not hesitate, but went fearless criticizing the ruling ‘Shiv Sena’.
The suspicious death of Ramesh Kini, attack on the bungalow of then Leader of Opposition in Legislative Council Chhagan Bhujbal by Shiv Sainiks, Ramabai Ambedkar Nagar riots and other such incidents have always been criticized and discussed by this fraternity.
These people were always on the lookout for an opportunity to keep the Shiv Sena leadership on the edge. Common man wonders whether this fearlessness of journalists has disappeared with time or because Shiv Sena is now against BJP, these people do not have the courage to show their fearlessness.
Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut had recently used abusive language during his press conference held at Shiv Sena Bhawan in Dadar. However, not a single news channel and editor-in-chief of any major publication commented on their dislike for the use of such atrocious language. Instead he also refrained from commenting on the use of such language. Was this intentional or was there some other reason for this behavior?
The sensitivity displayed by journalists and think tanks during the tenure of the government led by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, i.e. from November 2014 to November 2019, the silence shown by this fraternity in the last two-four years is incomprehensible.
BJP never objected to media statements about Modi government or Fadnavis government.
During this time people also saw how the so-called liberals are returning the rewards given to them and some others are calling the country unsafe to live in. Also, once during the coalition government, Shiv Sena supremo Balasaheb Thackeray criticized the writers for taking Rs 25 lakh from the government in a literary conference held in Mumbai. Balasaheb had questioned whether writers are not ashamed of their work. In response to this, Vasant Bapat, one of the famous poets, took a jibe at Balasaheb Thackeray’s controversial remarks.
Bapat had said, ‘If you think that you can shut our mouth by slapping Rs 25 lakh, then you are wrong. We haven’t sold our soul yet. No matter how much a dictator tries, the common man can ‘break the remote control and litter’. Many journalists can remember how the litterateurs rallied against this remark. Also, people have not forgotten the way Ramesh Kini’s suspicious death was covered by the then media.
We always welcome the passion of journalists to seek the truth. But unfortunately we fail to understand why this passion faded during the search of 19 missing bungalows in Korlai (District Raigad).
The party spokesperson had said during the press conference that there is no such bungalow at the said place. It is indeed a pity that despite the person concerned having produced all the necessary evidences sought from the Gram Panchayat about the existence of the bungalow, no one bothered to question the former about this. If investigative journalists feel that the subject of the 19 non-existent bungalows does not deserve further investigation, then the matter is closed.
About a year and a half ago, Kirit Somaiya had raised the issue of this bungalow at Korlai in Raigad district, which was not mentioned in the election document by the incumbent chief minister while submitting his candidature to the Legislative Council.
Surprisingly, none of the journalists felt the need to investigate or confirm Somaiya’s allegations. Newshawk is not required to attribute the ‘news value’ of a story, especially when there is documentary evidence corroborating the allegations leveled against the chief minister of a state. Nevertheless, the representatives of the news channels kept repeating that there is no bungalow at the said site.
On the other hand, the coalition government is in a race to initiate action against its opposition and we are not sure whether the media people have the courage or the will to dig deeper into these matters. All said and done, this clearly proves that today’s intellectuals are looking at their political and philosophical suitability before exercising their freedom of speech and expression. Therefore, asking ‘Why is there so much silence, brother…’ will not be inappropriate.
Disclaimer
The views expressed above are those of the author.
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