English हिन्दी
Connect with us

India News

PM Modi ‘obliges’ journalists at Diwali Milan, says practical problems in meeting often

Published

9 years ago

on

Modi Diwali Milan Photo by: ANI

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The PM asked media to focus on the issue of democracy in political parties

A few hours before journalists met at the Press Club of India to protest the attempts to browbeat the media by BJP governments, the scene at BJP headquarters presented a picture in contrast.

Members of the media lined up to see, be seen with, shake hands with and click selfies with the top man of the party in government, Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The occasion was the annual Diwali Milan when the PM, who has otherwise shunned media and loathes to address press conferences or give interviews – he has given only two since assuming office – comes down to oblige fawning journalists.

He did, and the waiting journalists acknowledged the gracious favour with smiles and lingering, protracted handshakes which the SPG man accompanying the PM frequently had to intervene to break up, catching hold of the hand and pushing it away. All this, while others were getting ready to assert the independence of the fourth estate and its role and responsibility to the people without fear or favour, to act as a check on government authority.

It was a repeat of the earlier occasions when, too, some journalists put themselves on ignominious display and the behaviour was criticised, hence this time they can be spared the defence of not knowing how to conduct themselves and the dignity of their profession.[/vc_column_text][vc_raw_html]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[/vc_raw_html][vc_column_text]Earlier, the PM had his one-way dialogue with the media. He told journalists there were “practical problems” due to which he was not able to meet the media often.“There are hopes from the both sides. There are complaints from the both sides. But I think it is our professional hazard. We have to find a middle path to move forward, smilingly,” he said.

“I recall how I used to spend much of my time with you… Most of you are from the same generation. Getting nostalgic is natural. There were no barriers, no difficulties then,” he added.

He said the media has expanded so much now that it was difficult to meet all journalists. “There were only a few in your fraternity. And the circle has become so big and media itself has so evolved in so many ways… It has posed us a challenge in maintaining contact and maintain openness. There is no problem with intentions, the problem is practical,” Modi said,

He said understanding each other further strengthens the relationship and mutual belief.

“My experience says that everyone performs duties formally. But informally everyone has something to contribute to the nation. They (journalists) tell us about bottlenecks… tell us where we need to improve. You guys travel a lot,” he said. Modi said he could also identify some media who criticise for the sake of criticism.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also urged the media to debate democracy and the democratic values of political parties for transparency in the evolution of their leadership and in their recruitment.

“You (the media) show us what we need to focus on. Democracy in political parties is something that the country is adapting to. We need to have transparency in the recruitment that political parties do. How the leadership of a political party evolves? What kind of opportunities are given to new generations. Do democratic values form the core of their values. It should become an issue of our debate and deeply so,” Modi said in his address to the media at the BJP’s annual Diwali Milan here.

“Democracy in political parties is a subject more people should know more about. It is true that the funding of political parties is a point of media discussion and many things come out in the open. But overall, how they are formed, how they function, how they recruit, their values, their ideologies and their weaknesses, what is the reason behind such weaknesses… all this should be debated,” he said, adding that political parties evolving “with a true democratic spirit is necessary for the country, necessary for a democracy”.

He appreciated media’s “positive role” in making the Swachh Bharat Mission a success, despite criticizing the government over other issues. “Half of the newspaper pages would be filled with the government’s criticism. But when it comes to the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, all are on the same page. I thank each one of you for making it a personal mission.”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Related Topics:
Continue Reading

India News

Parliament to take up anti-paper leak amendment bill, MSME reforms in Monsoon Session today

Parliament is set for a key legislative day as the Lok Sabha considers amendments to the anti-paper leak law and the Rajya Sabha discusses bills related to national honour and MSME reforms.

Published

7 hours ago

on

July 28, 2026

By

Parliament

Parliament is set for an important day of legislative business on Tuesday, with both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha scheduled to take up key bills covering public examinations, national honour and the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) sector.

The Lok Sabha is expected to consider amendments to the law aimed at preventing unfair practices in public examinations, while the Rajya Sabha will deliberate on legislation related to national honour and reforms in the MSME framework.

Lok Sabha to consider Public Examinations Amendment Bill

Minister of State for Personnel Jitendra Singh is scheduled to move the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026 for consideration and passage in the Lok Sabha.

The proposed legislation seeks to amend the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024.

The House will begin proceedings with the Question Hour. Later, several Union ministers, including Jitin Prasada, Ram Nath Thakur, Nityanand Rai, SP Singh Baghel, BL Verma, Bandi Sanjay Kumar and Pabitra Margherita, are slated to lay papers on the table.

Rajya Sabha to discuss national honour, MSME bills

In the Rajya Sabha, the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026 will come up for further consideration. Home Minister Amit Shah is expected to move the bill for passage after a discussion that followed a motion introduced by Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai on Monday.

The Upper House will also witness the introduction of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development (Amendment) Bill, 2026 by Union Minister Jitan Ram Majhi.

According to the proposed legislation, the amendments seek to strengthen the mechanism for addressing delayed payments, facilitate the enforcement of arbitral awards and provide states with greater flexibility in deciding the composition of Micro and Small Enterprises Facilitation Councils.

NDA leaders attend ‘Mangal Milan’ meeting

Ahead of the day’s parliamentary proceedings, senior NDA leaders, including Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh and Nirmala Sitharaman, arrived for the alliance’s ‘Mangal Milan’ meeting.

Continue Reading

India News

Centre first offered to shift Dharmendra Pradhan from Education ministry, CJP rejected: Reports

Sources claim the Centre initially proposed shifting Dharmendra Pradhan to another ministry during talks with the CJP, but protest leaders insisted only his resignation would end the agitation.

Published

7 hours ago

on

July 28, 2026

By

As protests led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) intensified in New Delhi over the demand for then Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation, the Centre initially proposed transferring him to another ministry instead of removing him from the government, according to sources.

The proposal was reportedly conveyed during negotiations between Union Ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh and representatives of the CJP. However, the offer was rejected as the protest leaders maintained that only Pradhan’s resignation would meet their demand.

Centre proposed ministry change during first round of talks

According to sources, JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh met CJP representatives Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka at Nadda’s residence on July 20. The meeting took place while police action against protesters was underway in the national capital during the Parliament march called by the group.

During the discussions, the Union ministers reportedly suggested moving Dharmendra Pradhan from the Education Ministry to another portfolio in an effort to resolve the standoff.

However, the CJP negotiators rejected the proposal, reiterating that the protest would continue unless Pradhan resigned from the Union Cabinet.

Sources also said the ministers informed the CJP that appointing or reshuffling ministers was the Prime Minister’s prerogative.

CJP maintained resignation was the only acceptable solution

According to sources, the CJP refused to consider any compromise short of Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation.

The negotiators reportedly believed that accepting a ministry change instead of a resignation would trigger a backlash from the protesters participating in the movement.

Dharmendra Pradhan resigned as Education Minister on Saturday, just hours before the third round of talks between the CJP and Union ministers. Following his resignation, the CJP announced that it was calling off its protest.

Rahul Gandhi also opposed a portfolio change

Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi had also said that merely changing Dharmendra Pradhan’s ministry would not satisfy students or the Opposition.

He had stated that Pradhan should be removed from the government, saying the former Education Minister had become “a symbol of the mess in the education system.”

Dharmendra Pradhan cited national interest in resignation note

In his resignation letter, Dharmendra Pradhan said he had stepped down to prevent what he described as anti-national forces from taking advantage of the agitation over examination paper leaks.

In a two-page resignation note posted in Hindi on social media, he said his decision was aimed at ensuring that the country’s unity remained intact and that students’ futures were not affected by legal complications, allowing them to focus on their studies and careers.

Continue Reading

India News

CJP claims government assures protection for protesters after midnight meeting

CJP says the government has assured protection for protesters after a late-night meeting, with notifications expected from more BJP/NDA-ruled states while the party keeps its protest threat on hold.

Published

7 hours ago

on

July 28, 2026

By

The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on Tuesday claimed it received fresh assurances from government representatives following a late-night meeting, with the group saying steps would be taken to protect protesters from legal action in more BJP/NDA-ruled states.

The development came hours after the party warned it could resume its agitation, alleging that promises made during earlier negotiations on police action against protesters were not being implemented.

CJP claims fresh assurances after midnight meeting

In a post shared on X at around 1 am, CJP Chief Spokesperson Saurav Das said government representatives met party leaders for nearly three hours and shared official notifications issued by the Bihar and Assam governments.

According to Das, the notifications guarantee the withdrawal of FIRs against protesters, the release of detainees and assurances that no future action will be taken against those who participated in the demonstrations.

He also claimed the government reaffirmed its commitment to issuing similar notifications from the Union government and other BJP/NDA-ruled states.

“Hopefully, the agreed upon language shall be used. No protester will be left alone. We are all in this together,” Das said.

CJP says discussions focused on safeguarding protesters

In a video message released after the meeting, Das said the party conveyed its concerns that previous assurances might not be fully implemented.

He said government representatives presented the Bihar Home Department’s press release stating that FIRs against protesters would be withdrawn and that no future action would be taken.

Das added that discussions also covered the possibility of other state governments issuing similar notifications to ensure protesters do not face legal proceedings.

According to him, the government assured the party that notifications addressing these concerns would be issued by Tuesday and that protesters would remain protected from future action.

He also said the CJP would continue working to ensure that every protester who participated in demonstrations across the country is protected from legal action.

Fresh protest threat put on hold for now

The latest developments came after the CJP warned on Monday that it could return to the streets if cases against protesters were not withdrawn.

The Abhijeet Dipke-led movement, which began as a satirical campaign and derived its name from an insult, ended its 37-day protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar over the weekend after Dharmendra Pradhan resigned as Education Minister, one of the group’s key demands.

Earlier on Monday, CJP spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka alleged that despite earlier assurances, protesters continued to face police action in some parts of the country.

He claimed that students had been arrested in Bihar and West Bengal, while volunteers supporting protesters in Delhi and other states were facing surveillance or detention.

Ranka demanded the immediate withdrawal of all FIRs against protesters, the release of detained students and an assurance that no fresh FIRs would be registered. He warned that the group would resume protests if those demands were not met.

Rajasthan also covered, claims CJP

Later on Monday night, Das said the party had also received assurances regarding Rajasthan.

He claimed authorities had guaranteed that no action would be taken against protesters in the state and that no FIRs had been registered or would be registered.

Das further said the party was continuing discussions to ensure other BJP/NDA-ruled states issue notifications with language that clearly protects protesters from legal action.

Continue Reading

Trending

© Copyright 2022 APNLIVE.com