Burning of newspaper

This is not only an act against freedom of the press, we consider it also an act of blatant infringement on the right to information of others, in that the large number of readers of these newspapers in various parts of the country were deprived of their copies of the papers of that day. This is not the correct way of demonstrating disagreement in a civilised society that claims to thrive on democratic norms, of which freedom of expression being one of the most important cornerstones. Burning papers or subjecting journalists to physical harassment is indicative of actions of those driven not by reasons but by their inability to accept the truth. It makes the episode even more disquieting to know that some of the party activists were, reportedly, led by people belonging to the legal profession.

The report may have been unpalatable to some. But if there was anything in it that some were not in accord with, there are well-established procedures that the aggrieved can take recourse to. If the account was deemed baseless, resorting to violence was certainly not the way to ventilate that feeling.

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We restate our resolve to serve the people's right to know. We shall not be detracted by any threat or bullying from any quarter.