Vice President Ansari releases volume on ‘India at a crossroads’

The Vice President of India, M Hamid Ansari, on Monday released a commemorative publication brought out by National Herald on ‘India at a Crossroads: 70 years of Independence’ at a function at Dr BR Ambedkar Bhavan in Bengaluru.

“The history of journalism in our country is closely related to the history of the freedom struggle. Indian journalists were not merely news providers, they were freedom fighters and social activists, who fought to rid India not only of foreign rule, but also of social prejudices, casteism, communalism and discrimination,” said the Vice President.

Present at the function was Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Rudabhai Vala, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Congress vice President Rahul Gandhi, PCC President G Parameshwara, Congress leader Oscar Fernandes and National Herald editor-in-chief Neelabh Mishra.

Quoting poet Akbar Ilahabadi, the Vice President said, “Khīñcho na kamānoñ ko, na talvār nikālo/jab tope muqābil ho to aḳhbār nikālo.” (Don’t string a bow or unsheathe your sword; bring out a newspaper to combat cannons.) The Press emerged as a tool for national awakening; it became a medium of nationalist political participation for the masses, said the Vice President.

“National Herald has always championed the freedom of the press and was considered the voice of India during Independence. No wonder it had to be shut down between 1942 and 1945, following the gag on Indian press. It is highly relevant in these times of political patronage of the press. Pandit Nehru resigned in 1947 as chairman of the board of National Herald because he became a part of the government. He was firm in his belief that the press in a free country should not be influenced by any political party,” said Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

Saying that the “power of truth is being replaced by the truth of power”, Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi noted that journalists and bureaucrats “are being threatened”.

“Thousands and thousands of journalists are not allowed to write what they want to write,” said Rahul Gandhi ruing the current scenario in the country where the government “is forcing everyone into silence.” He suggested that National Herald opens its doors to all of them. “Speak the truth and don’t be scared to speak the truth,” he added.

Karnataka PCC President G Parameshwara dwelled on the origins of National Herald and added, “The editorials which can be seen in the archives show how they (were the) most impartial, unbiased and judiciously objective. Pt Nehru never objected to any adverse criticism against him when they were made in the newspaper. Today, our democracy is facing a challenging time with attacks on the Opposition, attacks on the media and muzzling the voices of dissent”.

Congress leader Oscar Fernandes said Nehru had founded the newspaper in 1938 as a significant voice of the Mahatma Gandhi-led freedom movement and its values. “National Herald mirrored a civilisation’s aspirations to build a modern, democratic, just, scientific and inclusive society. But, 70 years after India’s Independence, we find some Constitutional values and aspirations being challenged. India is at a crossroads and it is all the more important that the fourth estate plays an important role of being its conscience keeper,” added Fernandes.

The programme began with a music recital by Apoorva Krishna on Carnatic violin, Vinod Shyam on the mridangam, Shadaj Godkhindi on Hindustani flute and Kiran Godkhindi on the tabla. National Herald board member Deepender Hooda hosted the event.