Cong hits out at BJP over assault on journalists in Hisar

Image
Press Trust of India New Delhi
Last Updated : Nov 18 2014 | 10:10 PM IST
Congress today attacked BJP over the assault on journalists by police during a clash at 'godman' Rampal's ashram in Hisar saying it was "unacceptable and extremely unfortunate" and demanded an apology from Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar.
AICC general secretary and communication department chief Ajay Maken said the BJP governments at the Centre and Haryana have shown "immaturity" and "lack of will" in dealing with the controversial 'godman' and condemned police's attack on media.
In the same vein, he also slammed the ruling dispensation for providing Z-security cover to yoga guru Ramdev.
Taking a dig, Congress said BJP's "will power" awakens when it has to "placate" Ramdev and provides him Z-security cover. BJP, Maken said, also "worked overtime to please the controversial head of Dera Sachcha Sauda before Haryana elections to gain votes of its followers".
"But when there is no vote in sight, its (BJP) will power disappears as we have seen in Hisar," he said.
"Congress condemns the attack on media by Haryana Police. We believe the way things have been handled in this whole issue shows not only the lack of experience of the newly- elected BJP government in Haryana but also its political and administrative immaturity.
"We can go a step further and will say that it seems that Haryana government as well as the Centre, as it would have intelligence, have shown their lack of will in handling the matter," Maken told reporters.
His remarks came after several persons, including security and media personnel, were injured as clashes erupted at the ashram in Barwala in Hisar.
Media crews faced the brunt of the violence that left some of them injured while cameras of many private electronic news channels were broken.
"The attack on media at Rampal's ashram is unacceptable and extremely unfortunate. Reporters and cameramen have been brutally beaten up and injured by the police in mindless lathi charge.
"This assault on media is a demonstration of the fact that Haryana government did not wish to be put under media scrutiny in handling the Hisar ashram crisis," Maken said.
*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Nov 18 2014 | 10:10 PM IST

Next Story