India News

Media: Trumping Government in US; Modified in India

Published

9 years ago

June 22, 2017

Media: Trumping Government in US; Modified in India

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]By Ranjona Banerji

Six months into Donald Trump’s presidency and the standoff with the bulk of the American media continues. The President continues to whine on Twitter and elsewhere about how badly he is being treated and the media explains to the people why he is being treated as he deserves. His failed executive orders, his exaggerations and lies, his possible Russia connections, his firing of the FBI chief, his inexplicable tweets – they are all excoriated, mocked and examined by mainstream journalists, comedians, actors, talk show hosts and more.

There has also been, from day one, open discussion about the White House denying access to journalists. Some publications and news channels were banned for a while. Some boycotted the regular briefings. Most recently, White House press secretary Sean Spicer has taken to conducting no-camera no-audio press briefings. The logic is that the President will say things himself but that argument hardly stands at a press briefing where the president is not present. At a discussion on this subject broadcast on CNN, journalists were clear that Spicer did not want his explanations of what the President was saying or doing to be recorded for posterity.

The American media, for the most part, see it as their duty to bring every aspect of the American presidency and government to the public. In their minds, denying access to journalists is like denying access to the people of America. It is a notion of democracy that could not be more different from what we have become used to in India.

Here too, the administration at the Centre is closed and inaccessible. But this lack of news emitting from Union government departments is discussed in press clubs and newsrooms. It is not laid bare in front of the public. The lack of information is evident from the recent BJP pick for President of India after Pranab Mukherjee’s term ends. For months, political journalists in Delhi have been waving names in front of the public – LK Advani, then not Advani after the Babri demolition case re-appeared, Murli Manohar Joshi, Sushma Swaraj, Narayana Murthy, Draupadi Murmu, some fantastic out of the box name and so on. No one got close to the candidate chosen by the BJP because the decision was made only by Narendra Modi and Amit Shah. It is well known in Delhi circles that all decisions, in fact, are made by the Prime Minister and the BJP president and few are in the know – except perhaps Union finance minister Arun Jaitley more than any other.

The immediate reaction from a media prone to genuflection was to tell the people how the choice of Ram Nath Kovind, whom no one had really heard of, in spite of being governor of Bihar, was a masterstroke (if only the media had thought of this) which has stumped the opposition – the main purpose in choosing a candidate.

But instead of sharing the problems of reporting on a closed, secretive government with the people of India, journalists have pretended that all is well and let off steam through gossip. Some media outlets have turned themselves into government spokespersons, others have attacked the Opposition because they are too scared of the government to take it to task when it falters or makes a mistake.

This has been most evident when Kashmir exploded last year spiralling into one of the worst crises in recent times, when Dalits were being picked on and killed, when murderous groups were lynching and beating people in the name of cow protection and now when farmers are out on the streets in anger: some sections of the media looked to protect the government from any blowback and blame the opposition instead.

The worst instance was when demonetisation was unleashed on India. It took our courageous news channels weeks to realise that the currency crunch was causing havoc across India. Although the impact is still being felt on falling economic indicators, few of our television heroes have had the courage to take the government on. After the CBI raids on NDTV recently, some may think there is good reason for this discretion.

But the US President attacking the New York Times and Washington Post for instance and accusing them of publishing “fake news” has only brought these two rival newspapers closer. Nor has the rest of the media backed down regardless of the rage of the presidency. How many media houses in India have been that brave?

The sad, sad lesson to Indian journalists and their bosses continues.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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India News

Journalist files police complaint against Rahul Gandhi over push allegation

Journalist Richa Parashar has filed a criminal complaint against Rahul Gandhi and others, alleging that she was pushed while covering the Opposition’s march to the Supreme Court. The Congress has denied the allegation.

Published

2 hours ago

October 17, 2026

APNLive Desk

Journalist Richa Parashar has filed a police complaint against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over an alleged incident during the INDIA bloc’s march to the Supreme Court in New Delhi on October 12. She has sought the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) against Gandhi and others, alleging that she was pushed while covering the protest.

Parashar submitted her complaint to the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), New Delhi district, on Friday, seeking immediate action. She has said she was three months pregnant at the time of the alleged incident and accused those involved of mistreatment, threats and the use of force.

What Richa Parashar alleged in her complaint

Parashar alleged that she was reporting on the Opposition’s march when the incident occurred. According to her earlier account, she was waiting near a gate on the Supreme Court premises to seek a response from Gandhi when he allegedly grabbed her hand and pulled her forward. She further alleged that his security personnel pushed her away, causing her to fall on the Supreme Court steps.

In her complaint, Parashar said she asked Gandhi questions before he allegedly pushed her towards a gate. She claimed that the force caused her to lose her balance and fall, and that her repeated requests not to be pushed were ignored.

Parashar has sought legal action against Gandhi and others whom she alleges were involved. The complaint reportedly seeks action under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, including Sections 74, 115(2), 131, 125 and 3(5). These provisions concern alleged assault or criminal force against a woman, voluntarily causing hurt, assault or criminal force, acts endangering human life or personal safety, and joint liability for acts committed with common intention.

The allegations and the sections cited in the complaint do not, by themselves, establish criminal liability.

Congress disputes the allegation

The Congress has challenged Parashar’s account of the incident. According to report, the party said a video released by the journalist did not show the sequence of events she described.

Congress leader Alka Lamba also questioned the circumstances surrounding the incident and accused those raising the issue of attempting to manufacture propaganda.

The allegations remain disputed. The complaint and the competing accounts should not be treated as an established finding of wrongdoing.

Incident took place during Opposition’s Supreme Court march

The alleged incident occurred on October 12, when Rahul Gandhi and other INDIA bloc leaders marched to the Supreme Court to submit a petition concerning alleged irregularities in the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

The Opposition has raised concerns about the voter-list revision process and alleged irregularities.

Parashar’s police complaint adds a legal dimension to the controversy surrounding the march. Any further action will depend on the police process and the relevant legal proceedings.

India News

Delhi court orders release of CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke

A Delhi court on Saturday ordered the conditional release of Cockroach Janta Party founder Abhijeet Dipke, who was detained and subsequently arrested ahead of a planned protest march at Connaught Place.

Published

3 hours ago

October 17, 2026

APNLive Desk

A Delhi court on Saturday ordered the conditional release of Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke, a day after he was detained and subsequently arrested ahead of a planned protest march in the national capital. The march was scheduled to take place at Connaught Place as part of demonstrations against alleged electoral irregularities.

Dipke was asked to furnish a bond and undertake to maintain peace as a condition of his release, according to reports. The court’s order came after he was produced before a Special Executive Magistrate following his arrest on Friday.

Why Abhijeet Dipke was detained

Dipke had planned to participate in the ‘Lehra Do Tiranga’ march at Connaught Place, where participants intended to gather and wave the national flag. The proposed demonstration was part of ongoing protests over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and demands for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

According to the Delhi Police, Dipke was taken into preventive custody before being formally arrested in a case related to the apprehension of a breach of peace. Police cited Sections 126 and 170 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).

Neha Bora was also detained

All India Students’ Association (AISA) president Neha Bora was also detained on Friday ahead of the planned march. She was released early Saturday morning after completing the formalities associated with her detention, according to the report.

Bora criticised the police action and called for the release of protesters who remained in custody. She also demanded an end to the SIR exercise and sought the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. These were her demands and allegations, rather than findings established by the court.

Protests over electoral rolls continue

The demonstrations involving CJP, student groups and opposition supporters have centred on allegations of irregularities in the voter-list revision process. Critics have questioned the exercise, while the Election Commission has maintained that its decisions were approved by the Supreme Court. The BJP has criticised the protests, describing them as attempts to spread anarchy, according to the report.

Dipke’s conditional release marks the latest development in the dispute over the planned Delhi protest. The court’s order concerns his release under specified conditions; it should not be interpreted as a judicial finding on the wider allegations surrounding the electoral-roll revision.

India News

Anirudh Ravichander to marry Kavya Maran in November, reception on November 21

Anirudh Ravichander and Kavya Maran are set to marry in November, with their Chennai wedding reception scheduled for November 21.

Published

4 hours ago

October 17, 2026

APNLive Desk

Music composer Anirudh Ravichander and Sunrisers Hyderabad executive Kavya Maran are set to marry in November. Their wedding reception is scheduled to take place in Chennai on November 21, according to an announcement by Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy’s office.

The development followed a meeting between Revanth Reddy and Kavya’s parents, Sun Group chairman Kalanithi Maran and Kavery Maran, at the chief minister’s residence in Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad.

According to the Telangana Chief Minister’s Office, the couple’s reception is scheduled for November 21, with Kavya’s parents extending an invitation to the chief minister.

Telangana CM’s office announces reception date

The Telangana CMO shared photographs and videos of the meeting on its official social media account on October 16. The announcement stated that Kalanithi Maran and his wife had met Revanth Reddy to invite him to their daughter’s wedding reception.

The post specifically confirmed that the reception of Kavya Maran and Anirudh Ravichander would be held in Chennai on November 21.

The announcement provided an official confirmation of the reception date and venue, while details about the wedding ceremony itself have also been reported separately.

Who are Anirudh Ravichander and Kavya Maran?

Anirudh Ravichander is a prominent music composer in the Indian film industry. He gained widespread recognition with the song “Why This Kolaveri Di” and has since composed music for several major films, including Leo, Indian 2, Vettaiyan, Vidaamuyarchi and Coolie.

Kavya Maran is the daughter of Kalanithi Maran, chairman of the Sun Group. She serves as an executive director at Sun TV Network and is widely recognised in cricket circles for her association with Sunrisers Hyderabad, the IPL franchise.

Wedding rumours and reported ceremony details

Speculation about a possible marriage between Anirudh Ravichander and Kavya Maran had circulated before the latest announcement. Earlier reports in August 2026 discussed the possibility of a November wedding in Greece.

A subsequent report said the wedding was reportedly scheduled to take place in Greece on November 11. However, the couple had not directly confirmed their wedding plans in the cited report.

The Telangana Chief Minister’s Office has confirmed that the reception is scheduled for November 21 in Chennai. The reported wedding ceremony details should therefore be attributed to reports rather than presented as officially confirmed information.