Telangana Urdu daily publishes blank editorial in protest against Congress government
Hyderabad: Telangana-based Urdu daily The Munsif Daily has published a blank editorial in protest against the Congress-led state government's alleged decision to freeze government advertisements. The newspaper claims it is being targeted for its critical coverage of the government's shortcomings.
Comparing the move to the Emergency imposed by Indira Gandhi in the 1970s, the daily accused the Congress government, led by Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, of attempting to suppress press freedom.
A Congress spokesperson told NDTV that the government had reduced spending on newspaper advertisements and that it was the government's prerogative to decide whom to support.
In a statement, *Munsif* Executive Editor Ather Moin said the newspaper had reported on communal unrest under the Congress rule, highlighting police failures and the state's inaction. It covered issues such as the demolition of an abandoned mosque in Chilkur, the removal of dupattas from minority schoolgirls' uniforms, and the government's failure to protect Waqf properties. The daily also raised concerns about delayed salaries for imams and muezzins, non-payment of stipends for divorced women, and the absence of a Muslim representative in the Telangana cabinet.
"If the Revanth government expects us to convince our readers that Telangana has turned into a land of milk and honey under Congress rule, then that is something we cannot do," the statement read. "Instead, we shall continue to ask: Why have lands turned barren? Why has starvation forced the poor to the brink? Why have helpless daughters been violated?"
The editorial also criticised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, recalling his 2023 statement in Washington about press freedom being under threat in India. It claimed that while several Urdu newspapers had criticised the Modi government without facing ad revocations, the Congress government in Telangana was punishing Munsif for its reportage.
"In 1975, Indira Gandhi tried to silence the press—and failed. Today, her party is repeating history. But let it be known: The pen is still mightier than the sword. Journalism in India will not be silenced," the statement added.
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Porsche car crash case exposed systemic corruption: Pune police commissioner
Pune (PTI): The Porsche car crash case exposed "systemic corruption," but the Pune Police have successfully uncovered the nexus behind the replacement of the accused juvenile's blood samples with those of his mother, Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar said on Wednesday.
The case made national headlines after the high-end car allegedly driven by the 17-year-old boy in an inebriated state mowed down motorcycle-borne IT professionals Anish Awadhiya and Ashwini Costa in the Kalyani Nagar area on May 19 last year.
"Last year’s Porsche car crash case sparked widespread discussions about Pune’s deteriorating social culture, alleged police corruption, and several other issues. Amid all the criticism, one positive aspect stood out: the case exposed systemic corruption.
"It also demonstrated how the police, working within the same system, managed to uncover the entire nexus behind the replacement of the juvenile’s blood samples with those of his mother," Kumar said while addressing Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan, an initiative aimed at raising awareness against drug addiction, organised at Modern College.
He added that the juvenile has been released since he was a minor.
"However, his mother has remained in jail for over a year, and his father continues to be behind bars. Doctors from Sassoon Hospital and others involved are also still in jail," Kumar said, adding that one mistake by a child, and an attempt by his parents to cover it up, destroyed an entire family.
He said the police will follow up on this case until every guilty person is punished.
Kumar also appealed to students to stay away from intoxicating substances and drugs.
"You are not only endangering your own life but also putting your entire family at risk," he said, urging the youth not to fall prey to harmful addictions.
"Instead, stand strong and act as a force to ensure that drug abuse is curbed in your surroundings. We assure you of full police support," he added.
He further stated that if youth from all colleges unite and decide to end this menace, "the day is not far when not even one gram of drug will be sold in the city".
The investigation into the car crash had revealed that the juvenile's blood samples were replaced with those of his mother.
The roles of Dr Ajay Taware, head of the forensic department, Medical Officer Shreehari Halnor, and a hospital staffer came under scrutiny.
While the mother is currently out on bail, the juvenile’s father, Sassoon Hospital doctors Taware and Halnor, staffer Atul Ghatkamble, two middlemen, Ashpak Makandar and Amar Gaikwad, and others remain in jail for the alleged blood sample swap.
