The Hindu : No bid to muzzle Press, says Kalimuthu

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, May 02, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Tamil Nadu

No bid to muzzle Press, says Kalimuthu

By S. Vijay Kumar

MADURAI MAY 1. The recent developments in the Tamil Nadu Assembly are not intended to muzzle the Press or the Opposition, the Speaker, K. Kalimuthu, has said.

``The Press is an inevitable part of the Assembly. It is free to express its views and even criticise the Government. Without the media, the Assembly does not exist since it is the former that reflects the proceedings of the House in different forms to the public,'' Mr. Kalimuthu told The Hindu here today.

The move to refer some reports, which appeared in The Hindu to the Privileges Committee, was only aimed at protecting the ``dignity'' and ``tradition'' of the Assembly. The reports on the Chief Minister's Tamil speech had ``strong'' adjectives, which ``misled the readers''. The Editorial (Rising Intolerance), published on April 25, cast aspersions on the Privileges Committee by ``commenting on the outcome of the enquiry''. The committee, chaired by the Deputy Speaker, had members from different political parties, including K. Anbazhagan of the DMK. ``I consider The Hindu a textbook since it always takes a neutral stand,'' he said, but the remark made on the committee was an ``insult'' to the Assembly.

`Committee can pardon'

Whenever there was an issue pertaining to a breach of privilege, the matter was referred to the committee, as it was not possible for the entire House to discuss the issue. But just because an issue was referred to the committee, it was not necessary that a particular action should be taken or punishment given. The committee consisted of both Opposition and ruling party members and provided an opportunity to discuss the case. There would be an exchange of different views, including grant of pardon and dropping further action, considering the reputation of the newspaper, the Speaker said.

Dismissing allegations that the Government was denying the Opposition its rights, he said action was initiated against two DMK MLAs for ``misconduct''. ``They (DMK) tried to cast a net and pull out the entire Opposition for a boycott. However, some members managed to escape,'' he pointed out.

The Opposition MLAs were only restricted from addressing the media in the corridor/lounge of the Assembly after having been evicted from the House or after they staged a walkout. ``They are free to talk to newspersons beyond Gate IV.''

Mr. Kalimuthu said the DMK's Parithi Ilamvazhuthi had threatened the then TMC (Moopanar) member, D. Kumaradas, of dire consequences on the floor of the House, thereby provoking legal action. ``The Assembly had initiated action against Parithi Ilamvazhuthi on eight occasions for misconduct and there are also five criminal cases against him,'' he pointed out.

Another DMK MLA, J. Anbazhagan, was suspended after he tore up `Police demands' papers in front of the Speaker. He did so even after having been given a chance to speak for 15 minutes. ``Leaders may come and go, but the dignity of the Assembly has to be safeguarded, lest it set a bad precedent,'' he added.

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