Corruption in Madhya Pradesh Media: Biased journalism, Hindi newspapers exposed

How major Hindi newspapers in Madhya Pradesh are involved in corruption, was exposed recently, when news of ragging in a college was published without naming the institution at all.

A young student of NRI group's pharmacy college was beaten up for not wearing trousers that had pleats as part of a 'dress code'. His father went to college and met authorities but 'senior' students also misbehaved with him.

The youth, Akash Sahu, was beaten up and had to be admitted to hospital. The police also registered the case. But the newspapers blacked out the institution's name. It was not the work of institution but that of some youths.

But mass circulated Hindi newspapers including Dainik Bhaskar, Dainik Jagran and Patrika didn't carry the name of the private college. All for few advertisements and moolah!

When a minor incident is reportedly unfairly and the big groups get 'managed' by the small fries, one can imagine whether reports and stories about powerful politicians, corrupt bureaucrats and land mafia could get published in these papers!

Shivraj Singh's Chouhan's statement angers Bihar politicians

It was predictable. The moment TV channels showed Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan saying that Bihari workers and labourers shouldn't get jobs in Madhya Pradesh, there was a sense of outrage in Bihar and other parts of the country.

Chouhan reportedly said, 'This can't happen that the factory is set up in Satna, but the employees would come from Bihar (and UP)'. As BJP and the JDU are allies in Bihar, and a national party can't afford to upset entire state, Chouhan retracted.

He clarified that what he meant was 'priority for locals' in jobs. By then the damage had been done though. Bihar leaders like Lalu Prasad Yadav, Ram Vilas Paswan and even Nitish Kumar had reacted angrily.

Chouhan was described as another avatar of MNS supremo Raj Thackeray in the newspapers on the next day. It is equally true that India is no banana republic. Today it's states and regionalism.

Tomorrow it could go to districts. There may be campaings that those from Sehore and Vidisha should not come to Bhopal or those from Bhopal not welcome in Hoshangabad and Bina.

This is not just bad for the unity and integrity of the nation but also goes against the spirit of the constitution. Good that the issue seems to be over and there is no further hue and cry over the statement after Chouhan went back on his words.

Home Minister's participation in RSS march condemned

The participation of Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Umashankar Gupta in the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) path-sanchalan programme has been condemned.

Gupta has been inducted into the state cabinet recently. As soon as he got the important portfolio of Home, the very next day he was seen joining the RSS volunteers in the path-sanchalan. The photographs of Gupta, wearing the khaki knickers and holding the baton, has led to criticism.

State Congress has taken exception and said that it will send the wrong message to the forces and police. Congress leaders said that the police will work with bias and the allied outfits of the RSS like Bajrang Dal and VHP would get more fearless in their acts.

The Congress spokesman JP Dhanopia has said that the participation of Gupta in full uniform of RSS would instill a sense of insecurity among the minorities. He has demanded that the Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan should remove Gupta from the post of Home Minister, because of his conduct.