A few days ago, NDTV journalist, Nidhi Razdan, interviewed the Prime Minister of Norway. After the interview, Nidhi Razdan tweeted that Prime Minister Erna Solberg said that Norway is ready to mediate between India and Pakistan on the Kashmir issue if both sides want it. Speculations took off that Norway is keen on mediating talks on Kashmir issue, after which the Norwegian ambassador to India Nils Ragnar Kamsvåg tweeted, “PM @erna_solberg has not offered to mediate between India and Pakistan as has been erroneously reported. Norway has neither been asked nor offered to mediate.”
PM @erna_solberg has not offered to mediate between India and Pakistan as has been erroneously reported. Norway has neither been asked nor offered to mediate.
— Nils Ragnar Kamsvåg (@nrkamsvaag) January 7, 2019
BJP member and Director at Public Policy Research Center, Sumeet Bhasin observed this occurrence and tweeted screenshots of Nidhi Razdan ‘s tweet and that of the Norwegian ambassador juxtaposed together.
Nidhi Razdan retorted to this tweet calling him a liar and alleged that the BJP IT cell pays Sumeet Bhasin to lie.
Liar. There is no manufacturing. The quotes are on TV and reported as is. I know the IT cell pays you to lie but I will call your lies out every single day https://t.co/gpv5jvrlG6
— Nidhi Razdan (@Nidhi) January 7, 2019
Speaking to rightlog, Sumeet Bhasin stated, “India’s stated position is Kashmir is a bilateral issue so why even ask this question to put words. How can any journalist go above the stated position of the Government of India and the Parliament house? The denial has come from the Ambassador from Norway, and post that she decided to misrepresent the facts. She has done it repeatedly and it is about time that such journalists are held accountable.”
Sumeet Bhasin further added, “Enough has been said that the BJP pays its trolls but it is an incorrect statement as the BJP is a party of karyakartas and volunteers rather than of employees. Since irresponsible allegations are being made against me, I challenge them to prove it, failing which legal action will be taken. Probably Congress may pay for such trolls but it is not in the culture of the BJP and its workers to take money for the critical task of nation-building. I hope that Indian Journalists act responsibly and stop twisting and misrepresenting facts to suit their personal agenda and political biases.”
Sticking to the promise, today, Sumeet Bhasin has filed a defamation case against Nidhi Razdan.
As promised, I have sent the defamation notice to @Nidhi . Hope next time she gets her facts in place before she makes a comment. We've had enough of #FakeNews and their arrogance, they must now realize that they can not get away with substandard journalism! pic.twitter.com/jWOd5hME5w
— Sumeet Bhasin (मोदी का परिवार) (@sumeetbhasin) January 10, 2019
In his tweet, Sumeet Bhasin also emphasized the fact that fake news must be effectively countered irrespective of the status of the journalist in question.
The claim that BJP pays social media trolls has done the rounds constantly and while any assertion or disagreement that falls in favor of the NDA government or reflects a nationalistic ideology is accused of being a sponsored activity, the BJP has a large number of party volunteers and supporters who are willing to go the extra mile to support and promote the BJP selflessly, only in the interest of the nation. Moreover, Sumeet Bhasin puts it rightly that Indian journalists must act responsibly and should be subjected to accountability, especially in matters relating to bilateral relations with other countries.