JOIN USThe opposition parties on Thursday said Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s doublespeak has been exposed by the Supreme Court order putting on hold the Delhi government’s circular threatening criminal defamation against media for carrying reports that damage the image of the Chief Minister and his team.
Delhi Congress chief Ajay Maken said Kejriwal government had not only targeted the media but also tried to throttle voices of its political adversaries through the now-stayed circular that was against the principle of freedom of expression. “The circular was totally unconstitutional,” Maken said.Delhi BJP chief Satish Upadhyay said the apex court’s stay has vindicated the party’s stand on the issue.
Delhi government should permanently withdraw this circular and apologise to Delhiites, he demanded. The Supreme Court took note of the fact that on the one hand Kejriwal has filed a petition to stay his defamation case challenging its constitutional validity, on the other, his government is planning to issue criminal defamation on government expenditure.
Leader of BJP in Delhi Assembly Vijender Gupta said Kejriwal’s double standards were exposed in this episode. “He should take media criticism in the right spirit. He should not try to silence his critics,” he said.
BJP leader and New Delhi MP Meenakshi Lekhi claimed Kejriwal’s intention to use government money to file defamation cases on media was flawed as there is no provision for spending public money on such matters.
The May 6 circular, issued by state information and publicity department, says if any officer associated with the Delhi government feels that a published or aired item has caused damage to his or the government’s reputation, he should file a complaint with Principal Secretary (Home).
The circular also states that after getting a go-ahead from the Director (Prosecution), the matter should be referred to the Law Department and after taking approval from the government, a case should be filed.