The Hindu : Gagging the Press?

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Nov 09, 2003

Opinion

Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Gagging the Press?

Sir, — It is an attempt to bully the media, especially The Hindu, which has stood the test of time

and witnessed countless number of attempts to muffle its voice during the pre-independence period. The brutal majority in the Assembly seems to re-enact the bygone period with more venom.

S. Srimoolanathan,

Chennai

* * *

Sir, — If truth-telling becomes painful to the powers that be, the Press cannot be held responsible. The rulers should condition themselves to accept both plaudits and brickbats. If they cannot, they should vacate the seat of power.

N. Nisha,

Chennai

* * *

Sir, — If the Press cannot write independently, who will speak for democracy?

Anwar Ali T.P.

Malappuram, Kerala

* * *

Sir, — The police action was outrageous. We are all with you. Freedom matters most to all of us.

Vinoth Kumar,

Krishnagiri, T.N.

* * *

Sir, — The incident only shows that in spite of all checks and controls, the system in a democracy can also be misused.

N.S. Venkataraman,

Chennai

* * *

Sir, — It is indeed a black day for democracy and freedom of the Press. Even more disturbing is the conduct of the police.

Prasenjit Sen,

Raleigh NC, U.S.

* * *

Sir, — The attempt to trample upon the freedom of the Press by using state power smacks of political immaturity.

Pradeep Kumar M.,

Hyderabad

* * *

Sir, — The action not only questions the freedom of the press, but the freedom of citizens because The Hindu is the voice of people like me.

Sreedhar Ganji,

Hyderabad

* * *

Sir, — One need not go into the merits of the case against The Hindu to discern that the prison sentences in this instance will not enhance the prestige of the Indian democracy. On the contrary, it will damage our prestige in the international community. We will fare poorer in the eyes of the Third World countries which look upon our country as a vibrant democracy, worthy of emulation.

K. Vedamurthy,

New Jersey

* * *

Sir, — The shocking misuse of their powers by the high-handed authorities is outrageous. The Hindu has never misused its freedom and has always put forward fair comments. The incident has increased my respect for it.

Gunjan Sharma,

Delhi

* * *

Sir, — I wonder why politicians are unable to look beyond their noses. History classes will add the November 7 incident to their lessons when they deal with the freedom of the Press in India.

Akhila Seshadri,

Chennai

* * *

Sir, — Press freedom has been killed in Tamil Nadu and the behaviour of the police at the residence of your Executive Editor should be condemned strongly. The readers of The Hindu are with you and will continue to support you.

M. Balaji,

Chennai

* * *

Sir, — What the Chief Election Commissioner recently observed about the state of some of our politicians is quite true. God alone can save us from the politicians who have no respect and regard for the Constitution.

J.S. Carvalho,

Mangalore

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