Date:15/11/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/11/15/stories/2006111507161400.htm

National

Medha Patkar lends her voice to UNI struggle

Special Correspondent

Decries attempts to victimise agitating employees

NEW DELHI: Social activist and Narmada Bachao Andolan leader Medha Patkar on Tuesday appealed to all democratic forces to unite to fight the bid by a "corporate player" to take control of the United News Agency by buying majority stakes.

Ms. Patkar, who was in town to participate at the India Social Forum, was invited by the protesting journalists to support their struggle against the takeover bid by Mediavest, owned by Subhash Chandra.

Ms. Patkar decried attempts to victimise agitating employees by way of transfers and suspensions.

It was the democratic right of the employees to carry out a peaceful agitation for the noble cause of the freedom of the press and for maintaining the democratic structure of the country, Ms. Patkar said.

She also criticised the Congress-led UPA Government by saying that UNI was started by Jawaharlal Nehru and the present rulers were doing little to prevent its destruction.

She said the takeover phenomenon had to be seen in the context of the attempt of the land mafia to grab the land of tribals and farmers for developing Special Economic Zones and industries.

She said she would write to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Information and Broadcasting Minister Priyaranjan Dasmunsi, urging them to restore status quo ante relating to the transfer of shares of UNI.