Author: U. Mahesh Prabhu
Publication: Ivarta.com
Date: March 13, 2008
Distinguished Editor and Author of our times
M J Akbar is removed from the Chairmanship of "The Asian Age¹ and
"Deccan Chronicle¹.
First it was the abrupt removal of M V Kamath
from the Chairman of Prasar Bharati and now its turn of M J Akbar. MJ who
has been for the past 15 years been identified among the most admired journalist-editor
has been booted out from the Editorship of The Asian Age and Deccan Chronicle.
As per some confirmed sources UPA Chairperson Ms. Sonia Gandhi is said to
be behind the scenes.
Two of the India's legendary journalist editors
are being humiliated, though indirectly, by the Congress led UPA government
and yet our own journalist friends don't seem to be interested in reporting
this to the public. Thats not news is what they said to me when I informed
and sought their support towards taking up the matter on their respective
mediums. Well, what then is news? I need someone to help me understand.
Turn on a channel and you find illegitimate
relations between two couples being presented to the national audience. Even
if a robber is being beaten up, after being caught red handed, by the public
even that is admitted. But when asked to speak about the injustice caused
to the nations finest journalistic personalities they do nothing. Why is it
so? Could someone explain this?
The allegation against MJ is that he has joined
a political party, BJP to be precise. But my investigation into the matter
impresses upon me to say that its the Congress which is spreading the canard
that he has joined a political faction in order to place a thin smokescreen
across its guilt for having pushed out the only Muslim Editor in the English
media in the sixty years of free India. And they (Congress) say that they
are committed for the uplifting of minorities.
I am a recognized Right Wing writer and considering
that I have little reasons to sympathize with MJ. But sympathise I will. Not
simply because MJ is a guide and friend to me but also because this wasn't
a way to treat a person who has, with his countless columns and books, brought
forth this nation several issues of social and communal problems to the best
of his abilities. We all need to respect him for his commitment to his mission,
for his enduring spirit for presenting the case of the Muslims in front of
the Hindu brethren. I still remember his words that has inspired me for ever
We have built walls for years now we have to bring them down, and at
all costs.
Akbar may have been anti-BJP, he may even
have differed with us and strongly, but he didn't deserve to be booted out
in such an undignified manner. I cannot but agree with MJ when he says, in
his farewell letter, We may not have been the biggest, but we held our head
high because there was one non-negotiable asset in our family: we could not
be bought. We were independent. We were free. We held our head high.
The departure of MJ is a historic occasion
which is sad not just for The Asian Age and Deccan Chronicle but also for
the Indian Journalism. I put forth my mark of protest against the management
of Deccan Chronicle holding and all the forces playing part in such undignified
removal of a respected journalist from Editorship. This is an act of lunacy.
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U. Mahesh Prabhu is the Editor-in-Chief of
Aseemaa: Journal for National Resurgence.