Congress files complaint against DD Journalist for labelling Kharge as ‘traitor’
New Delhi: The Congress party has filed an official complaint against Doordarshan (DD) journalist Ashok Shrivastav, condemning his programme that portrayed Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge as a "traitor" during a time of heightened military conflict with Pakistan. The party called the broadcast harmful to national unity and accused the state-owned broadcaster of spreading divisive and inflammatory contentx reported News Laundry.
In the complaint, Congress highlighted the seriousness of the situation, noting that the country is dealing with violent conflict with Pakistan, during which several Indian citizens and military officers have lost their lives. “During such a war-like situation, Ashok Shrivastav and DD News are airing malicious content which not only incites violence against Mallikarjun Kharge and promotes enmity towards the Congress Party, but also harms national integrity, peace and harmony,” said Congress leader Bhadauria.
The controversy began on May 6, when Ashok Shrivastav shared a promotional poster for his debate show on social media platform X (formerly Twitter). The graphic featured Kharge, Lok Sabha MP Imran Masood, and Islamic scholar Arshad Madani under a caption that read: “India is ready but how many traitors are in the House?” The programme was aired on Doordarshan.
Senior Congress leader K.C. Venugopal demanded an unconditional apology from Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, stating that the use of such language was unacceptable during a national crisis. “Labelling Kharge ji and MP Imran Masood ji as ‘gaddar’ is extremely divisive. The Congress president has extended unequivocal support to the armed forces and the government since the Pahalgam terror attack,” he said.
Venugopal also reminded the public of the Congress party’s historical record of supporting the government during previous wars with Pakistan, including its support to the Vajpayee-led administration during the Kargil conflict.
The inclusion of Islamic scholar Arshad Madani in the same graphic has also drawn sharp criticism. Critics questioned how a respected religious figure could be grouped with political leaders under a label that suggests disloyalty, especially by a public service broadcaster.
Other Congress leaders, including MP Manickam Tagore, also condemned the broadcast, saying it was disgraceful and called on Minister Vaishnaw to issue an apology. The Congress party accused Doordarshan of misusing public platforms for political purposes and spreading communal undertones, which they say is dangerous at a time of national security threats.
As of now, there has been no official response from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting or from Doordarshan regarding the complaint.
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Another North Goa nightclub sealed; Kejriwal says corruption led to fire tragedy
Panaji (PTI): As part of a crackdown against tourist establishments violating laws and safety norms in the aftermath of the Arpora fire tragedy, Goa authorities on Saturday sealed a renowned club at Vagator and revoked the fire department NOC of another club.
Cafe CO2 Goa, located on a cliff overlooking the Arabian Sea at Vagator beach in North Goa, was sealed. The move came two days after Goya Club, also in Vagator, was shut down for alleged violations of rules.
Elsewhere, campaigning for local body polls, AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal said the fire incident at Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub at Arpora, which claimed 25 lives on December 6, happened because the BJP government in the state was corrupt.
An inspection of Cafe CO2 Goa by a state government-appointed team revealed that the establishment, with a seating capacity of 250, did not possess a no-objection certificate (NOC) of the Fire and Emergency Services Department. The club, which sits atop Ozrant Cliff, also did not have structural stability, the team found.
The Fire and Emergency Services on Saturday also revoked the NOC issued to Diaz Pool Club and Bar at Anjuna as the fire extinguishers installed in the establishment were found to be inadequate, said divisional fire officer Shripad Gawas.
A notice was issued to Nitin Wadhwa, the partner of the club, he said in the order.
Campaigning at Chimbel village near Panaji in support of his party's Zilla Panchayat election candidate, Aam Aadmi Party leader Kejriwal said the nightclub fire at Arpora happened because of the "corruption of the Pramod Sawant-led state government."
"Why this fire incident happened? I read in the newspapers that the nightclub had no occupancy certificate, no building licence, no excise licence, no construction licence or trade licence. The entire club was illegal but still it was going on," he said.
"How could it go on? Couldn't Pramod Sawant or anyone else see it? I was told that hafta (bribe) was being paid," the former Delhi chief minister said.
A person can not work without bribing officials in the coastal state, Kejriwal said, alleging that officers, MLAs and even ministers are accepting bribes.
