Bhopal: Senior Congress leader Digvijay Singh on Saturday claimed that an atmosphere of violence and hatred is being created in the country to target a section of the society. The Rajya Sabha member said this while discussing the topic “Journalism and Burning Issues” here. He also claimed that politicians in a democracy should be tolerant and thick-skinned as it helps them to reach new heights.
He said, “Sometimes an example is given that when Partition was taking place, the then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru went among the people and an old lady grabbed him by his collar and asked what he got from freedom. Nehruji replied that what you got is that you held the Prime Minister by his collar. This democracy is missing nowadays.”
Taking a jibe at the ruling government at present, Singh said without naming, “Leave the collar aside, even if you say something from afar, people get upset, sedition cases can be filed, because you have become a threat to the country.” He said that the ‘stand up comedian’ is now being seen as a threat to the nation. He questioned how democracy would be nurtured if politicians did not have the strength to face criticism.
Singh said, “Creating an atmosphere of violence and hatred by targeting a particular group is fascism. Identify an enemy and once the enemy is identified, declare him a traitor.” He said that labeling a section as anti-national and then making the fight against them a symbol of nationalism cannot be defined as dictatorship and fascism, but dictatorship.
He said, “Nationalism, anti-nationalism and religion are the burning issues. Should religion be used in politics? Is it not illegal to use religion as a weapon? These are burning issues. Can’t we criticize? Critics cannot be anti-nationals. Stand-up comedians cannot be anti-nationals.”
Singh said that tolerance and acceptance are the principles of Indian society, culture and Sanatan Dharma preaches respect for all religions and this aspect should never be forgotten that the Constitution has allowed everyone to express their views. He said that the National Security Act (NSA), which was used by the British to suppress the Congress-led freedom struggle, is now being invoked even for trivial matters and it is unfortunate that even after independence Laws like NSA and sedition have not been withdrawn.
Singh claimed that the constitutional institutions of the country are being affected. He said that impartial journalism has a major role to play if democracy is to be maintained. “We have to stand up courageously with fair journalism,” he said.