Congress leaders meet Karnataka Governor seeking Minister Eshwarappa's dismissal
Bengaluru, Feb 22: A delegation of Congress leaders on Tuesday met Karnataka Governor Thaawar Chand Gehlot and submitted a memorandum seeking the dismissal of Minister K S Eshwarappa and that he be booked for sedition over a statement on the national flag.
Congress leaders and legislators led by Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Siddaramaiah, Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council B K Hariprasad, marched from Vidhana Soudha to the Raj Bhavan to submit their memorandum to the Governor.
"For five days we have staged a protest in the assembly, today the house has been adjourned, so we met the Governor and submitted him a memorandum. We hope that the Governor will dismiss him (Eshwarappa). If he is not dismissed, we will go to the people's court and explain to the people of the state, his shameless act of insulting the national flag," Siddaramaiah said.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, he said, the Governor told us he will look into the matter and will take necessary action.
Congress legislators had been staging 'day-and-night' protests, whereby they spent the night inside the Assembly, and staged demonstrations from the well of the House during the day, thereby disrupting the proceedings, demanding Eshwarappa's resignation from Thursday.
Recently, Eshwarappa had claimed 'Bhagwa dhwaj' (saffron flag) may become the national flag some time in the future and the same may be hoisted on the Red Fort then.
He however, had said the tricolour is the national flag now, and it should be respected by everyone.
Terming Eshwarappa's statement as deliberate, Siddaramaiah said it is an insult to the national flag and an "unpardonable offence".
"He is a senior Minister, he has been in the cabinet since 2006, such a person with mal-intention has insulted the national flag which is the pride and identity of the country," he said.
Noting that the Congress had moved an adjournment motion in both houses of the legislature seeking legal action by booking a criminal case against Eshwarappa and that he should be dismissed from the Ministry, the Congress Legislature Party Leader said, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai did not do both, but defended him.
"Both Eshwarappa and the Chief Minister's conduct is an act of treason," he said.
Claiming that BJP National President J P Nadda has in an interview has termed Eshwarappa's statement as wrong, Siddaramaiah said, "according to me Bommai after seeing it at least should have dismissed him (Eshwarappa). RSS, BJP never respect national flag and constitution, they want to change them."
He further said, "There is a flag code of India, also there is also Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, the section 2 of this- states that whoever disrespect the national flag shall be imprisoned for the term extending up to three years, or fine or both. It amounts to sedition also."
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K’taka HC asks Centre to examine broadcasts, digital content on media trial against actor Darshan
Bengaluru (PTI): The High Court of Karnataka has directed the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology to examine broadcasts and digital content related to Kannada actor Darshan in connection with the Renukaswamy murder case.
It has also asked them to take necessary action if any violations of the rules are found.
Darshan and his friend, actress Pavithra Gowda, are among the 17 accused in the Renukaswamy murder case. He is currently lodged in jail under judicial custody.
“Respondent Nos. 1 and 2 (Ministries) are directed to forthwith examine the impugned broadcasts and digital content relating to the petitioner and the subject crime. Upon being satisfied that the same are violative of Rule 6 of the Programme Code framed under the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995, they shall take immediate action in accordance with Sections 19 and 20 of the Act,” Justice Sachin Shankar Magadum said in his order dated April 30, while partly allowing the petition.
“This may include regulating, suspending, prohibiting, or directing discontinuance of such telecast, broadcast, streaming, or dissemination, pending inquiry and final consideration of the complaint,” he added.
Darshan, in his petition, had claimed that he is aggrieved by a sustained and targeted media campaign in connection with the murder case.
He said that despite the trial being at a nascent stage, various television channels and digital platforms have indulged in media-driven adjudication, disseminating speculative narratives, selectively leaked materials, and unverified allegations, thereby shaping public perception and impairing the petitioner’s right to a fair trial.
Despite judicial interdictions, the petitioner alleged that the media continues to telecast content in violation of statutory provisions and binding court orders.
The court said the material placed on record, particularly the clippings produced, unfortunately, depicts a disturbing trend wherein the broadcast media has gone to the extent of recreating courtroom proceedings, with only the face of the presiding judge masked, while the faces of the accused and counsel are openly displayed.
Such programmes are telecast on every date of hearing, thereby converting pending judicial proceedings into a form of public spectacle, it said.
The judge said, “This Court cannot but observe that such conduct amounts to a calculated media-driven adjudication, fostering a parallel narrative and engendering prejudicial pre-trial publicity. The continued telecast of such content, in the teeth of subsisting injunction orders, reflects a blatant disregard for judicial authority and contributes to the creation of a ‘carnival atmosphere of justice.’”
By virtually staging courtroom scenes and projecting selective narratives, the media not only risks subverting due process but also erodes adjudicatory neutrality, impairing the petitioner’s right to a fair trial, he said.
The court further said that the material on record discloses violations of the Programme Code under the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, the Contempt of Courts Act, and the Information Technology Act and Rules.
“The material on record discloses prima facie violations of statutory provisions and judicial orders. The ongoing media narrative poses a serious threat to the petitioner’s right to a fair trial under Article 21,” it said.
“Freedom of speech is a cherished constitutional value; however, when it degenerates into media-driven adjudication, it ceases to be a safeguard of democracy and becomes a threat to it,” the judge said.
“The press is a watchdog, but when it assumes the role of judge, jury, and executioner, the rule of law stands imperilled. Courts cannot permit the course of justice to be overshadowed by the glare of studio lights,” he added.
The court has also asked the ministries to examine the necessity of prohibition of broadcast, suspension or revocation of permissions or licences, imposition of penalties, and initiation of such further statutory proceedings as are permissible in law; to conduct an inquiry into the alleged violations of the Programme Code and pass appropriate orders.
It has directed them to file a compliance report before the court within twelve weeks.
The judge also stated that liberty is reserved to the petitioner to initiate appropriate proceedings under the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971, if so advised.
