Media: Buy it or Kill it
When democracy becomes increasingly autocratic, the first victim will be the media. If the media is silenced, the autocracy will have no challenge. In the absence of the media, the suppressive ways of the autocracy will never be known properly to the people. An autocratic government chooses two ways to suppress or shut the media. First it buys it. If that is not possible, then destroys it. The media at present is largely bought over by the powers-that-be. As a result, however worse the administration is, the media does not present this to the people and its role is limited to praising the government. One way of silencing the media is to threaten or attack it through goondas and another way is to use existing laws to harass journalists and silence them. The recent statement by the National Alliance of People’s Movement (NAPM), India’s respected civil rights organization, expressing concern over the increasing attacks on media houses and journalists across India has revealed that along with the media, even democracy is in danger.
The UPA government was also not far behind in misusing laws to silence journalists. Under Narendra Modi now, it has assumed dangerous proportions. In 2020, the country witnessed a 20 per cent increase in arrests of journalists and attacks on media houses. It is also notable that a large number of such cases are reported in states where BJP is in power. Journalists who are honest and those who abide by the principles of their profession are facing threats and violence. Between 2014 and 2019, more than 200 journalists faced physical assaults and several have even died. Even as the anti-CAA movement and farmer protests expanded throughout the country, the restrictions imposed against journalists have started increasing. Journalists who are reporting about the farmer protests are being directly attacked in the recent days. An example of this is the raid conducted by the Enforcement Directorate on the office of online news portal, NewsClick, that has been consistently reporting about the farmers’ protests. NewsClick’s Chief Editor Prabir Purakhayastha and writer Geeta Hariharan were practically kept under house arrest by the officials of the Enforcement Directorate.
Freelance journalist Mandeep Punia who was reporting about the farmer protests at New Delhi borders from the first day was dragged inhumanly and taken into custody. Five FIRs have been filed against famous journalists Rajdeep Sardesai, Mrinal Pande, Zafar Agaa, Caravan Magazine Founder Paresh Nath, Editor Ananth Nath, and Executive Editor Vinod K Jose along with other journalists. A non-bailable warrant was issued against senior journalist Paranjoy Guha Thakurtha for a news story published in The Wire against Corporate giant Adani against which Adani filed a defamation case. Later, the Gujarat High Court not only cancelled the warrant but also directed Thakurtha to appear before a lower court.
In January, the provisions of the draconian Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) were invoked against journalists Dhiren Sadokpam, Paojel Chaoba, and M Joy Luwang for an article published in a newspaper in Manipur. In the last few years, it has become quite common to invoke the provisions of the UAPA against journalists who question and oppose the controversial decisions of the government. In the case of Kerala journalist Siddiqui Kappan who was imprisoned, the Uttar Pradesh government threw all Constitutional norms to the wind. The Uttar Pradesh police filed charges in an unconstitutional manner, invoked provisions of the UAPA, and arrested Kappan who was travelling to report the incident of rape and murder of a Dalit girl in Hathras. Kappan who was jailed on October 20, 2020 had to remain in prison until he was granted a temporary bail on February 15th, 2021.
Article 19 of the Constitution guarantees freedom of speech and expression to citizens enabling the print and electronic media to function. This is one of the basic tenets of democracy. But the Union and state governments are employing barbaric laws to control information and news. Such a fascist attitude is against the values that the Indian Constitution upholds. Journalists are not safe where democracy is in danger. The increasing attacks on journalists is an indication of democracy being in danger. For journalists, it is like a replay of the dark days of emergency.
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Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol unveil ‘DDLJ’ sculpture at London’s Leicester Square
London (PTI): Bollywood stars Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol huddled under an umbrella on a rainy Thursday in London to unveil their bronze likeness from an iconic ‘Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge’ scene.
The sculpture of the duo joins Leicester Square’s ‘Scenes in the Square’ trail depicting memorable shots from some of the world’s most famous films, with ‘DDLJ’ marking a Bollywood first and the 30th anniversary of the 1995 box-office hit. It is in this popular London square that SRK as Raj and Kajol as Simran first cross paths unknowingly.
“DDLJ was made with a pure heart. We wanted to tell a story about love, how it can bridge barriers and how the world would be a better place if it had a lot of love in it, and I think this is why 'DDLJ' has had a lasting impact for over 30 years now," said Khan.
“Personally, 'DDLJ' is part of my identity, and it is humbling to see film, and Kajol and me, receiving so much love since it was released,” he said.
He expressed his gratitude to the Heart of London Business Alliance, behind the cinematic trail at Leicester Square, for celebrating ‘DDLJ’ and “immortalising” its lead stars.
“Seeing ‘DDLJ’ become the first Indian film to be honoured in the iconic Scenes in the Square trail is an emotional moment and has brought back so many memories.
"I feel immense pride knowing the film has been embraced around the world, and I want to share this moment with the entire cast and crew of ‘DDLJ’, my friend and director Aditya Chopra and the Yash Raj Films family. This is a moment I will never forget,” added Khan.
Kajol, joined by her daughter Nysa and son Yug, posed with Khan in front of the statue as she braved the rain in a green saree.
“It’s incredible to see ‘Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge’ continue to receive so much love, even 30 years later. Watching the statue being unveiled in London felt like reliving a piece of our history - a story that has truly travelled across generations,” said Kajol.
“Seeing it find its rightful place in Leicester Square, a location of such enormous significance to ‘DDLJ’, makes this moment even more special. For the film to be honoured in this way in the UK – the first Indian film to receive such recognition – is something that will forever stay in the hearts and minds of all the ‘DDLJ’ fans across the world,” she said.
Their statue, captured in a dancing pose from the hit song ‘Mehndi Laga Ke Rakhna’, joins the likes of Harry Potter, Bridget Jones, Mary Poppins, and Batman in what is dubbed as an ever-growing celebration of movie magic in a square packed with multiplex cinema screens.
“When ‘Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge’, DDLJ, was released 30 years ago, the film became a defining moment for Indian cinema and changed the face of the industry, capturing the hearts of everyone who saw it all over the globe," said Akshaye Widhani, CEO of Yash Raj Films.
“We’re thrilled to be the first Indian film to be represented in ‘Scenes in the Square’. It also marks 30 years of DDLJ, a film that has spread love and joy globally, and shows the cultural impact it has had in UK.
“We are honoured that our superstars and our film are being recognised on the world stage alongside the Hollywood elite, from Gene Kelly to Laurel & Hardy to Harry Potter. This statue will be a great way to express the international appeal of Indian movies and build bridges amongst communities through cinema,” he said.
Since its release in 1995, ‘DDLJ’ has become the longest-running film in Hindi cinema history.
Ros Morgan, Chief Executive at Heart of London Business Alliance, said: “We’re proud to welcome global megastars Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol to our Scenes in the Square trail.
"Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge is a cinematic phenomenon that has shaped generations, and London’s first tribute to Indian cinema honours a story whose magic continues to captivate audiences worldwide.”
It is a particularly special year for the film, with a musical based on the romance playing to packed houses at Manchester’s Opera House earlier this year. Aditya Chopra reprised his role as director of the English language stage production, ‘Come Fall In Love – The DDLJ Musical’, which revolved around the love story of Simran and Roger.
The script was a nod to the original as it followed Simran as a young British Indian woman who finds herself engaged to a family friend in India in an arranged marriage. However, the plot thickens when she falls in love with a British man named Roger.
Bade Bade Deshon Mein, Aisi Chhoti Chhoti Baatein Hoti Rehti Hain, Senorita!
— Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) December 4, 2025
Thrilled to unveil the bronze statue of Raj & Simran at London’s Leicester Square today, celebrating 30 years of Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ)!
Incredibly delighted that DDLJ is the first Indian… pic.twitter.com/8wjLToBGYc
