Kevin Carter, Sangolli Sangvva are metaphors of photojournalism, says K.V. Prabhakar
Bengaluru, August 19: “When looks touch the heart, a great photojournalist is born. The picture captured in that moment becomes history,” said K.V. Prabhakar, Media Advisor to the Chief Minister of Karnataka.
He was speaking at the inauguration of World Photography Day celebrations organised by the Bangalore Photojournalists’ Association on Monday.
Prabhakar highlighted that vision and insight form the foundation of good photojournalism. “A child understands the world through looks even before he learns to speak. Looks do not require words, sentences, or language. That is why we say ‘Love at first sight’. For photojournalists, this power of vision is crucial,” he said.
Citing examples, Prabhakar described South African photographer Kevin Carter and Karnataka’s Sangolli Sangvva as “two visual texts of photojournalism.”
He recalled Carter’s Pulitzer Prize-winning photograph from famine-hit Sudan in 1993, which depicted a starving child collapsing on the ground while a vulture waited nearby. “That single frame became an indelible text in journalism. It raised questions across the world, but also haunted Carter, who ended his life three months later. His photo proved that a look is itself a universal language, capable of sparking global debates,” he said.
Similarly, he pointed to the story of Sangvva from Belagavi, whose photograph bowing to the steps of a government bus under the Shakti Yojana scheme went viral last year. “When the scheme was announced, there was criticism and mockery. But Sangvva’s single act of gratitude, captured in a photo, erased all jokes and touched millions. Within 24 hours, she became a symbol of dignity and emotion,” Prabhakar noted.
According to him, reports and words may sometimes distort facts, but photographs never lie. “Pictures are the seal of truth in journalism. They carry authenticity and permanence in a way text cannot,” he said.
On the role of technology, Prabhakar said photography today is easier than it was two decades ago, but creativity remains the deciding factor. “Artificial intelligence is both a challenge and an opportunity. Technology cannot replace human imagination. As long as photographers remain creative and compassionate, no machine can replace them,” he observed.
He also underlined the growing importance of photojournalists at grassroots levels. “Even today, photographers are in greater demand than reporters in rural and taluk areas. Politicians wait for photographs of their inauguration programmes. Photos speak across languages, even to the illiterate. That is the power of photography,” he said.
Prabhakar urged editors to recognise this importance. “A report may be removed, but no one discards a good photograph. Newspapers must make efficient use of photo space,” he added.
The event was attended by Deccan Herald Chairman K.N. Shanthakumar, Madhyamika Academy President Ayesha Khanum, senior photojournalist Bhagyaprakash, Bangalore Photojournalist Association President Mohan, and senior journalist Sadashiva Shenoy.
Photographers as historians
Prabhakar also stressed that photographers play the role of historians. “From freedom struggles to wars, it is photographs that have preserved the faces and moments of the past for future generations. This dual role makes photojournalists not just storytellers of today, but historians of tomorrow,” he said.
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Have no personal involvement in Cong’s action against some minority leaders: Shivakumar
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Friday said he has no personal involvement in action taken against certain Congress leaders from the minority community following allegations of an internal conspiracy during the recently held Davanagere South bypolls.
He clarified that the decisions were taken by the party high command based on available reports.
Asserting that party discipline is of utmost importance, Shivakumar, who is also the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president, sought to downplay concerns that action against minority leaders may send the message that “Muslims are being targeted.”
“I don’t have any personal involvement in this. Whatever decisions are taken are made by the party leadership. The party has its own reports. Decisions regarding MLAs or MLCs cannot be taken at the state level without instructions from Delhi,” he said.
Speaking to reporters, he added, “People may blame me; I am not concerned. Everyone must function in accordance with party discipline.”
Responding to concerns within sections of the party that recent actions may convey the impression that minority leaders are being targeted, he said the Congress exists for the welfare of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, minorities, backward classes, farmers, and all sections of society.
The Congress has suspended MLC K Abdul Jabbar from primary membership and relieved another MLC, Naseer Ahmed, from the post of Chief Minister’s political secretary.
The action followed allegations by a group of Muslim leaders that certain party members conspired to defeat the official candidate in Davanagere South.
Following the action, speculation has emerged that Housing Minister B Z Zameer Ahmed Khan may also face disciplinary measures during the next cabinet reshuffle.
The three leaders had reportedly sought a Muslim candidate for the Davanagere South bypoll ticket, which the party instead allotted to the late MLA Shamanur Shivashankarappa’s grandson, Samarth Mallikarjun.
They were also said to have not actively participated in the campaign.
Shivakumar also rejected claims of factionalism within the ruling party amid speculation that leaders close to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah were being targeted.
Naseer Ahmed and Zameer Ahmed Khan are considered close to the CM.
Rejecting allegations of factionalism within the party, Shivakumar said, “We speak to each other every day. It is the media that creates divisions. Where is my faction? Has anyone put up a board saying they belong to the Siddaramaiah faction? Have I put up any such board?”
“All 139 legislators are my people, and they are all Siddaramaiah’s people as well. Everyone belongs to the Congress,” he added, saying there are no factions within the party and that such claims are media-driven.
Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Satish Jarkiholi met Shivakumar on Friday, a day after expressing concerns that disciplinary action against minority leaders may send the wrong message.
Shivakumar said he discussed with Jarkiholi the need to decongest Bengaluru traffic by diverting vehicles entering the city from state and national highways, along with party-related issues.
“We also discussed political matters in the interest of the party and the need to work together,” he said.
Later, speaking to reporters, Jarkiholi said he discussed with Shivakumar the issue of withdrawing Jabbar’s suspension. He said he will also visit New Delhi next week to meet the high command and discuss state developments.
“Jabbar’s suspension was discussed (with Shivakumar). It should be withdrawn. Let’s issue him a notice and allow him to reply. Then let’s send the report to the high command and seek their approval. High command approval is necessary because the instructions came from there. It may take some time,” he said.
Stating that he met the KPCC chief for “damage control,” the minister said, “We have tried to convince him. Sometimes certain decisions happen that need rectification.”
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