Jalandhar, Jan 18 (News Desk)
Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini firmly declared his government’s unwavering support for a free press, delivering a veiled rebuke to attempts at media intimidation at a cultural event in Jalandhar on Sunday.
Speaking amid ongoing friction between the AAP-led Punjab government and the Punjab Kesari group—marked by allegations of harassment, FIRs, and curbs on journalistic freedom—Saini asserted, “If anyone thinks they can intimidate a media institution through pressure, it is a grave mistake, because the voice of truth can never be suppressed.”
Saini was the chief guest at the “Ramleela Samiti Samman Samaroh,” where he honored office-bearers, artists, and social workers from Ramleela committees across Haryana, Punjab, and Chandigarh. Paying homage to Lord Ram, he described Ramleela as more than a performance—it’s the “essence of our culture,” teaching that “righteousness and truth always prevail” over evil forces. He lauded the “Shri Ram Navami Utsav Samiti” for preserving these traditions in modern times.
The CM’s strongest words targeted the Punjab Kesari group’s legacy of fearless journalism, especially during Punjab’s turbulent militancy era. “When fear gripped homes and streets, this group never stopped its pen,” he said, recalling martyrs Lala Jagat Narayan and Romesh Chandra Chopra, who sacrificed their lives for national unity without yielding to violence.
Saini praised the group’s impartial reporting and social initiatives, noting 910 trucks of relief material sent to border areas over 26 years—including fresh consignments flagged off at the event.Directly addressing Punjab Kesari Editor-in-Chief Vijay Kumar Chopra, Saini boosted morale:
“In this fight against those who seek to suppress the media’s voice, you are not alone. Keep writing—your pen is democracy’s strongest shield.” The remarks come against the backdrop of AAP’s recent clashes with Punjab Kesari, including accusations of biased coverage leading to government retaliation, which critics decry as an assault on the fourth pillar of democracy.
Saini urged Ramleela committees to spread Lord Ram’s ideals, equating media adversaries to Ravana: “Their arrogance will shatter, just as truth triumphs.”
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