In a bid to counter a perceived hate narrative, the Congress announced an anchor boycott list, vowing not to legitimize such discourses.
“Won’t Legitimise Hate Narrative”
Pawan Khera, a senior Congress leader, encapsulated the party’s stance succinctly.
“We do not hate these anchors but we love the country more,” he voiced, accusing the boycotted media personalities of peddling hate.
“We do not want to legitimise this hate-filled narrative that is corroding our society,” he added on platform X.
The BJP Retaliation
The BJP was quick to stand ground, criticising Congress’s history of “bullying the media and silencing those with differing views.”
As tweeted by Anil Baluni, BJP National Media In-Charge, the BJP condemns this move, considering it as oppressive and dictatorial.
The News Broadcasters & Digital Association expressed “deep anguish and concern” over the decision.
The ban, they argue, goes against the ethos of democracy, indicating intolerance and jeopardizing press freedom.
A Background to the Boycott
The decision was taken during the first meeting of the INDIA coordination committee led by Sharad Pawar.
The opposition’s accusations of media hostility and spewing hate have been ongoing, with Congress accusing some media sections of neglecting their Bharat Jodo Yatra, as voiced by Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot.
Historically, the Congress has taken similar stands. In May 2019, party representatives were pulled from TV debates for a month, a decision disclosed via the then Twitter account of senior party leader Randeep Surjewala.
In this tug-of-war between the Opposition and the media, it remains to be seen who will come out on top, and more importantly, how this will shape the nation’s political discourse.
