File photo of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal (Associated Press photo)
The Kejriwal government's controversial defamation circular against the media came under fresh attack on Sunday with an article in the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) mouthpiece calling it "draconian" and an attempt to take away the freedom of speech and expression.
The article in 'Organiser' titled 'Draconian Circular', written by a Supreme Court advocate, said that through the May 6 circular, Mr Kejriwal and his Cabinet showed that they love the "suitability factor" most and to have both sides of a coin without caring that such an attack on media is "anti-democratic and unconstitutional".
"The circular issued by Arvind Kejriwal against media is a clear attempt to take away the Freedom of Speech and Expression. Though the Supreme Court stayed the Draconian Circular, the question over Kejriwal's intention to use and then abuse media needs to be interrogated," the article said.
It also said the circular has raised a burning and sensational topic for discussion by providing a mechanism for registering complaints of defamatory news or actions of the Fourth Estate in order to cover the Chief Minister, Cabinet and various other Delhi government functionaries.
"By attacking on it politically some say it's anti- democratic, an un-announced emergency or an attempt to strangle the democracy or more specifically an attack on media both print and visual as well. But, I feel that his government is trying to give a message 'Both sides of a coin are mine'," the article said.
The article further stated that Mr Kejriwal throughout his campaign used defamatory words or news against political leaders and business scions for which he is facing trial at various places. It alleged that the Delhi chief minister propagates himself as a victim of such complaints but moved Supreme Court to de-criminalise Section 499/500 of the Indian Penal Code and still enjoying the stay granted by court.
This, it said, is one side of the coin, while on the other he gets through the very "Draconian Circular" on May 6 by attacking the Fourth Pillar and using the same weapon against it which he himself has attacked and is pioneering to de-criminalise.
"This circular is a clear attempt to take away the Freedom of Speech and Expression," said the article.
"Thus, he (Kejriwal) and his Cabinet loves the suitability factor most and to have the both sides of a coin without caring that such attacks are anti-democratic, un-constitutional and even when the matter is sub-judice before the Supreme Court," the article added.