The Hindu : M.P. tries to set the record straight

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Mar 18, 2004

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Other States - Madhya Pradesh

M.P. tries to set the record straight

By Our Staff Correspondent

BHOPAL, MARCH 17. The new Bharatiya Janata Party-led Government in Madhya Pradesh is determined to set the record straight over recent accusations from a section of those said to be associated with cultural and literary activities who have been alleging that the Government has started taking drastic steps to curb the freedom of speech and expression.

An official spokesman today drew attention to the recent suspension of two officials -- one connected with the multi-arts complex, Bharat Bhavan, and the other with the State-run Sahitya Parishad (Literary Council) -- and said that action had been taken against them as they were found "guilty'' of selling privately published literature that was opposed to the BJP and the Rashtriya Swayam Sevak Sangh. A misinformation campaign is being carried out against the State Government by describing the suspension of these two officials as an attack on the freedom of expression in Madhya Pradesh, he said, adding that sale of politically motivated literature by Government-run institutions cannot be justified on any count.

Launching a counter-offensive, the official spokesman said one wonders if those accusing the State Government of suppressing the freedom of expression would also support the idea if Government-run organisations like Bharat Bhavan and Sahitya Parishad start selling pro-BJP literature like "Panchajanya'' and "Organiser''.

The spokesman further said that an attempt was also being made to rope in the Minister for Culture, Anoop Mishra, by involving him in an unnecessary controversy with regard to the State Government-run autonomous Allauddin Academy, named after the renowned music maestro, Ustad Allauddin Khan. He clarified that the State Minister for Culture had neither mooted the idea of closing down the Allauddin Academy nor suggested that its name be changed to Tansen Academy. All that the Minister had said was that another Academy should be established to commemorate the memory of Mian Tansen -- the legendary figure in the history of Indian classical music.

The State Government spokesman went on to emphasise that some elements were also trying to malign the image of the State BJP Government on another count. Citing a particular case, he said it was only implementing the decision of the previous Digvijay Singh Government to recover the accumulated rent of over Rs. 2.5 lakh for a Government accommodation that had been allotted to a Bharat Bhavan functionary and was being used freely by artistes linked with Habib Tanvir, the famous theatre personality.

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