On Thursday, the opposition alliance INDIA declared its intention to boycott the shows hosted by 14 television anchors across multiple platforms. The BJP likened this decision to the Emergency period. In response, the News Broadcasters & Digital Association (NBDA) expressed concerns about the boycott, emphasizing that it establishes a worrisome precedent and contradicts democratic principles.
The media committee of the alliance made the choice to refrain from participating in the programs hosted by these journalists and from sending their representatives to debates conducted by them on various channels or platforms.
"Pursuant to the decision taken by INDIA Coordination Committee in its meeting on September 13, 2023, the INDIA parties will not send their representatives on the shows and events of the following anchors," a statement from the media committee of the opposition bloc said while listing the names of such journalists, as reported by PTI.
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Explaining the rationale behind this action, Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera, a member of the opposition parties' committee that made this decision during their virtual meeting, stated that certain channels have been running a "nafrat ka bazaar" (market of hatred) for the past nine years.
In response, the BJP criticized this move, with its chief spokesperson and MP Anil Baluni stating in a press release that the opposition parties have demonstrated a repressive, authoritarian, and pessimistic mindset.
'Childish': Himanta Biswa
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma criticized the Opposition INDIA alliance on Saturday for their decision to boycott the shows hosted by 14 television anchors across multiple platforms, characterizing the move as "childish."
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While addressing the media in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, Himanta Sarma stated,"This boycott and media censorship can be traced back to 1975. It is not new."
"For any reason, if the Congress government comes to power, the media will get censored, but Irso has made the Chandrayaan at the right time. I will send the entire Congress party to the moon to form a government there. This is childish," the Assam Chief Minister said, as reported by India Today.
Additionally, while taking a jibe at former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath, Himanta Sarma remarked, "Is there anyone else in the world with a more fatigued expression than Congress leader Kamal Nath?"
"If Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Kamal Nath ji are made to stand on a stage, Kamal Nath ji looks so tired. There has been massive development in Madhya Pradesh and I want it to increase after the elections."
"INDIA alliance has openly opposed Hindus. I hope people will take cognisance of this and vote accordingly," he said.
What did INDIA Bloc Announced about Boycotting media channels?
On September 14, the opposition alliance INDIA made an announcement that it would boycott the shows hosted by 14 television anchors across various platforms. This decision drew a comparison to the Emergency period by the BJP. The News Broadcasters & Digital Association (NBDA) expressed concerns, stating that the boycott establishes a dangerous precedent and contradicts democratic principles.
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The media committee within the alliance made the choice to refrain from participating in the programs hosted by these journalists and decided not to send their representatives to debates conducted by them on various channels or platforms.
