Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday sought exemption from toll tax for scribes across the country. The official Twitter handle for Aam Aadmi Party tweeted:
Delhi CM @ArvindKejriwal writes to Union Minister @nitin_gadkari: Journalists should get an exemption from toll tax all over the country !
— AAP (@AamAadmiParty) February 4, 2019
In a letter to Nitin Gadkari, the Union Minister for Road, Transport and National Highways, Kejriwal sought the exemption for journalists, saying it was demanded by Haryana journalists at a meeting with him.
Delhi CM @ArvindKejriwal has sought an exemption for journalists from paying toll tax all over the country.
— AAP (@AamAadmiParty) February 4, 2019
In a letter to the Union Min for Road, Transport & National Highways @nitin_gadkari, he has sought the exemption for journalists all over country from paying toll taxes.
Several journalists, including our editor, Sitaraman Shankar, responded on Twitter, saying there was no need for freebies for scribes.
No need at all, @ArvindKejriwal. Journalists should pay their way, like (most) other people @DeccanHerald https://t.co/8UmpqdIYsf
— Sitaraman Shankar (@shankarsview) February 5, 2019
The Wire's Anoo Bhuyan wasn't having it, either.
Hey Kejriwal, stop influencing the media.
— Anoo Bhuyan (@AnooBhu) February 5, 2019
Journalists shouldn't be getting or taking sops from politicos.
"Without fear or favour."https://t.co/65dY3uvuLJ
Deepti Sachdev, Senior Editor at Republic TV, questioned "Is the idea to ensure better press and 'pliant' journalists?"
Dear CM @ArvindKejriwal, what makes you think we need your freebies?
— Deepti Sachdeva (@DeeptiSachdeva_) February 5, 2019
Is the idea to ensure better press and 'pliant' journalists?
If you really respect the fourth estate, why BLOCK those who ask 'uncomfortable' questions?@AamAadmiParty#NewsAlert #2019Elections pic.twitter.com/LJ8cbuBxzU
Journalist and author Swati Chaturvedi tweeted:
Please stop extending freebies, no reason why journalists should not pay toll. Every person including officials & judges should. We are a democracy it is about equality https://t.co/R99mdAvl9e
— Swati Chaturvedi (@bainjal) February 5, 2019
Reuters Correspondent Devjyot Ghoshal took to Twitter as well to mock Kejriwal.
Thank you, but no thank you. More than happy to pay this.
— Devjyot Ghoshal (@DevjyotGhoshal) February 5, 2019
Instead, maybe ask the minister to tell his boss to hold a press conference? https://t.co/RcMmP4iLaV
Harinder Baweja tweeted:
No thank you. Why should journalists get any exemptions from any government? https://t.co/GLxj2FDIqZ
— Harinder Baweja (@shammybaweja) February 5, 2019
We asked a poll question in response to Kejriwal's demand. Follow us on Twitter (@deccanherald) and participate in the poll.
Poll options to above tweet here.
— Deccan Herald (@DeccanHerald) February 5, 2019
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