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I&B Ministry advisory on Dalit word is censorship: Congress

The Congress on Tuesday termed “censorship” the Information and Broadcasting Ministry’s advisory to the media to avoid use of word “Dalit”.

I&B Ministry advisory on Dalit word is censorship: Congress

Manish Tewari (Photo: Facebook)

The Congress on Tuesday termed “censorship” the Information and Broadcasting Ministry’s advisory to the media to avoid use of word “Dalit”.

Congress Spokesperson Manish Tewari said such terms are commonly used in public discourse.

“If the government ordains or the Ministry ordains that the language which you use in your reportage should also be one that is pre-cleared by them.

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“How else will you characterise this advisory except to call it censorship? And my request to all those media outlets, who have been supporting the spectre of censorship, that they should introspect. When you sow the wind, you reap the whirlwind,” he added.

Also Read | Refrain from using ‘Dalit’, Information Ministry urges private TV channels

In compliance with a Bombay High Court directive, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has issued an advisory to all private satellite TV channels, urging them to refrain from using the nomenclature, ‘Dalit’, for people belonging to Scheduled Castes.

The advisory has urged channels that they may refrain from using the term ‘Dalit’ while referring to people belonging to Scheduled Castes.

The letter, dated August 7, referred to a June directive by the Bombay High Court asking the ministry to consider issuing a direction to the media to stop using the word ‘Dalit’.

 

(With agency inputs)

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