Introspect Indian Media
By Burhan Majid
09 October, 2011
Countercurrents.org
Now over a week has passed after the mysterious death of a National
Conference Party worker named Syed Muhammed Yousuf Shah in Srinagar.
Much ink has been spilled on the debate surrounding it. Much energy
got invested in debating the issue on TV channels. Many spoke. Many
wrote. Yet many whispered over it. However, the fact remains that
whatever happened with the NC worker, now dead, on that fateful day
deserves condemnation as does any other such incident anywhere on the
globe. I, like many others, also feel heartfelt sympathy for the
family. Because death means death. And more so when it occurs to a
human.
On a plain analysis of the incident, even a layman’s mind would get
struck with as many questions as there can be. From the basic facts of
the case to the legal dimensions involved, a number of queries can be
raised. Thanks to the much vigilant (seasonal) India media for
pointing the fingers.
If those, involved presently in the case, are indeed with clean hands,
then why there should not be an FIR, an inquiry or, say, a trial
regarding the matter in a transparent manner. No matter let us assume,
for some time, that the death was a mere coincidence. But let then the
investigation begin with no pressure from any quarter.
Now coming to the essence of this piece. In fact the way the Indian
media handled and reported the NC worker’s death reminded me of the
way the same media handled and reported over 200 killings in Kashmir
in the last three years at the hands of paramilitary troopers. The
world knows that how the media(as some call it fourth estate) of a
largest democracy reacted to the gross rights violations committed on
Kashmiris in those three years. Instead, from the day one it launched
a tirade against the Kashmiris. The anchors labeled the peaceful
protesters with as many names as they could.
If the Indian media can lobby for an independent investigation in the
NC worker’s death or, say, in any other incident like they did in
many, why couldn’t it do the same in case of over 200 killings in
Kashmir or, say, for other things at other times. The enormity of the
partiality and preconception lies in the fact that the 200 youth were
killed in the broad day light. Even then, not a single media house
from India reported not a single death objectively. It is this
institution of the Indian democracy which contributes to the captivity
of Kashmir, a 6 million Himalayan region.
Not to go far back, just months back the Jammu and Kashmir State Human
Rights Commission released a report saying a three-year investigation
has uncovered 2,156 unidentified bodies in 38 sites in north
Kashmir's Baramulla, Bandipora, Handwara and Kupwara districts. The
revelations are official, thus, only a confirmation to the earlier
assessment by the rights groups. Is this not a news worth reporting
for Indian media. This should have raised a hue and cry in Indian
media. Even now when the figures were official, still the Indian media
paid no heed to it. However, most of the international media houses
reported the revelation. Moreover, there are also reports of more mass
graves in poonch, Rajouri etc..
It should have raised the queries in the Shopian double rape and
murder case also in the same way. But they didn’t under the pretext of
the blanket expression “national interest.” Is the expression
“national interest” synonymous with the brutalities on Kashmiris?
Indian media needs to introspect.
However, at the same time, I don’t say that Indian media should not
have reported the NC workers case the way they did. No never. The
incident needs to be debated from every angle for it deserves. And
more so because of the alleged involvement of some key political
positions of the State. But a Question to the Indian media: Which is
more graver, over 200 killings in three years or the NC worker’s
death? ; mass graves in Kashmir or again the NC worker’s death? We
need an answer.
I applaud your crusade over, to name a few, Anna Hazzare movement,
Arushi murder case, 2G scam and so on. But we hope you grow mature and
objective and show the same attitude and fervor when it comes to
Kashmir. Thus we wait.
(Burhan Majid is a Researcher at Faculty of Law, University of
Kashmir, can be reached at [email protected])
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