Joshimath Crisis: Government Experts, Bodies Told To Not Talk To Press, Congress Lashes Out At Gag Orders

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has asked government organisations and experts to not talk to the press over the Joshimath crisis. 

The Uttarakhand government has also issued similar instructions. The news of the gag orders comes after a report from the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) saying that Joshimath sunk 5.4 cms within 12 days was taken off the website without any explanation. 

While the NDMA and the Uttarakhand government have reasoned that the instruction is essential as over a dozen organisations are involved in the ongoing crisis in Joshimath and information released by various organisation is leading to confusion, the Opposition has criticised the gag order and has said that the government should not shoot the messengers — the officials and agencies involved. 

The ISRO, which released the report on Joshimath's sinking, is among the agencies issued the gag order. The other agencies include Central Building Research Institute (CBRI Roorkee), Geological Survey of India (GSI), Surveyor General of India (SGI), IIT Roorkee, Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA), etc., according to a copy of the order shared online. 

Cracks have appeared throughout Joshimath and seveal buildings have started sinking into the ground, leading to evacuation of hundreds of families and demolition of affected buildings. A number of experts from across scientific institutions are involved in studying and figuring out a solution to the crisis. The gag order stops their public communication. 

What has NDMA said?

The gag order has come after a meeting chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. 

In a letter to 12 organisations, the NDMA said the experts are sharing their interpretations with the media, leading to confusion. 

"It is observed that various government institutions are releasing data...and also they are interacting with media with their own interpretation of the situation. It is creating confusion...The issue was highlighted during a meeting chaired by Honourable Union Minister on 12th January 2023," says the NDMA letter, as per the copy shared by media.

Accordingly, the NDMA in the letter notes an expert group has been formed and that the 12 organisations should "refrain from posting anything on the media platform".

"You are requested to sensitize you organization about this matter and refrain from posting anything on the media platform until the final report of the expert group is released by NDMA," says the gag order's copy shared by media. 

Defending the NDMA's gag order, official sources told PTI the purpose of the advisory is not to deny information to the media but to avoid confusion because so many institutions are involved in the process and they are giving their own interpretation of the situation.

In a similar communication, the Uttarakhand government conveyed to the organisations that some of the institutions and agencies are publishing and uploading the information or reports about Joshimath without taking due permission from the competent authorities that is adversely impacting the ground situation as well as triggering panic among the community.

The Uttarakhand government said the ground subsidence around Joshimath has aggravated and the authorities are taking all necessary measures for the safety of habitation in the affected areas.

What did Uttarakhand government say?

The Uttarakhand government has deployed team of experts from various scientific and technical institutions to assess the situation and providing the mitigation measures of the town. 

The media is also propagating this blatantly, said the Uttarakhand government.

The communication said the organisations, before publishing or uploading any such reports or information, should obtain prior approval either from the respective central ministries or the Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA).

'Don't shoot the messenger': Congress

The gag orders have under criticism from media and the Opposition Congress. 

Journalist Milan Sharma drew a parallel with the early phase of Covid-19 pandemic when information flow was regulated.

"How science is silenced, researchers and scientists, doctors bear the brunt of speaking the truth. The same thing was done during Covid-19 pandemic in India," said Sharma. 

The Congress party said the gag order is like shooting the messenger and it shouldn't happen.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge tweeted, "After Joshimath, now reports of cracks in the walls of houses in Karnprayag and Tehri Garhwal are also coming. Instead of solving the crisis and finding solutions to the problems of people, government agencies are putting a ban on ISRO report and stopping its officials from interacting with the media. Narendra Modi ji, 'Do Not Shoot the Messenger'."

AICC general secretary Jairam Ramesh also said, "They make one Constitutional institution attack another. Now, National Disaster Management Authority tells ISRO to shut up. But how can satellite images lie? This is New India where only one man knows everything, and will decide who will speak on anything."

(With PTI inputs)