How media and opposition normalize Naxal violence

On 1 November, Journalists organized a candle light march at India Gate in the memory of DD cameraman Achyutanand Sahu who lost his life in Dantewada Naxal attack.

Expectedly, many big and eminent journalists were absent from the march.

Achyutananda Sahu was killed along with two CRPF personnel- sub-inspector Rudra Pratap and assistant constable Mangalu- in an ambush by Maoists in Chhattisgarh’s Dantewada district, last week.

As soon as the news of martyred journalist and security personnel broke, people from all over the country sent their condolences and prayers to all three martyred souls and also condemned the inhumane acts of Maoists in the harshest possible words.

After the brutal killing of DD journalist, Achyutananda Sahu, the lukewarm response of the media in condemning his killers was shocking beyond words including the Editors Guild’s response.

Editors Guild of India also issued a statement on Dantewada Naxal attack. However, in their statement, the name of the deceased journalist, Achyutananda Sahu was missing and there were no words of condemnation as far as the action of Maoists is concerned.

Another shocking write-up almost condoning the mad violence came from Newslaundry- a portal notorious for its nonsense and absurd pieces- which stated that the journalists would not have been attacked, had they not been travelling with the security forces. These are clear attempts at normalizing violence unleashed by the Naxals.

Politicians also showed their amazing motor mouth skills. The Congress leader, Raj Babbar called Naxals ‘revolutionaries’. He said, “Which government? Is there even a government here? There is government run by Gujaratis and Mumbaikars. This government is for their benefit only. I must clarify one thing, the issue cannot be solved with those (Maoists) revolutionaries by indulging into violent activities. We have to address their questions. You cannot stop those revolutionaries by increasing fear in their minds or bribing them. This is my opinion and I have already suggested it to my party.” It seems that he made this statement with the intent to normalize Naxal terror. Naxals are biggest threat to India’s internal security. On May 28, 2013, Jairam Ramesh said Maoists are terrorists  and they should not be romanticized. He said this in an interview about the Naxal attack in Darbha Valley on 25th May 2013 in which 27 people, including many Congress leaders were killed.

It’s really sad to see that instead of unequivocally condemning the mad violence unleashed by the Naxals, the media and the politicians are finding ways to condone these brutal and inhumane killings.

Following Raj Babbar’s absurd remark, the BJP chief Amit Shah launched blistering attack on the Congress party. At a poll meeting in Rajnandgaon, Shah said, “A Congress leader yesterday called Naxalism a revolution. I want to ask the Congress chief to make his stand clear on Naxalism. Your leader called it a revolution. What is your stand?” He further added, “Revolution does not come through Naxalism. Revolution does not come through violence and bombs and bullets, but when cattle were distributed to poor women to bring in white revolution and milk revolution. When our ‘chawal wale baba’ provides rice at Rs 2 per kg to the poor people then it is a revolution… When farmers sweat in their farms and get a good return on their produce, then it is revolution. I want to tell people that the Congress considers Naxalism as revolution, but the BJP sees revolution in development”