The west should not teach us anymore how to do journalism. Time has come to put the mirror back on western media. We will challenge the dominance of western media from Indian soil, eminent journalist and former Editor in Chief of Times Now Arnab Goswami said on Tuesday.
Goswami was delivering a speech as the Chief Guest of the Bharatiya Chhatra Sansad (BCS) in the first session on the topic ‘Freedom of Expression: How Much is Too Much’. The three-day Parliament has been organized by MIT School of Government & Bharatiya Chhatra Sansad Foundation, Pune in association with the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Govt. of India, Ministry of Higher & Technical Education and Ministry of Sports & Youth Affairs, Government of Maharashtra & Pune Municipal Corporation.
Prof. Dr. Vishwanath D. Karad, founder president, World Peace Center (Alandi), MAEER’s MIT, Pune; Shri. V. Vaithilingam, Hon. Speaker and Former Chief Minister, Puducherry Legislative Assembly and Prof. Rahul Vishwanath Karad, Founder Convener, Bhartiya Chhatra Sansad, Initiator & Dean, MIT- SOG were present at the session.
Goswami added, “A lot of politicians did everything to silence us. They told us you will be on streets if you take on the Central Government. But we were not afraid. The time has come for the birth of independent media in this country.”
Talking about recent issues he said, “We need to silence them who want to silence Zaira Wasim. We are not going to tolerate the elements who publicly make a 16 year old girl to apologize. No country in the world has the courage to challenge religion. We fought for women’s entry to Haji Ali and Shani Shingnapur. Even if our vocal cords tear, we will stand for the right against the dirty practices”, he added.
Talking about his new venture, Republic, he said, “One man cannot change the country, nor even a group of journalists. We the people can. Many laughed on the dream of global Indian news media. I say, Republic will win and they will lose. Idealism will win and money will lose. Republic is not just a news channel, it is a movement which will put back peoples’ voices.”
He said, “We will decentralize Indian journalism. The journalism in Delhi is corrupt. The center of journalism is no more Delhi, it is places like Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore, etc.”
Vaithilingam, said, “There should be clear balance between constitutional rights and responsibilities in freedom of speech. Freedom of Speech should not challenge sovereignty and unity of India. Indian model of freedom of speech is less appreciated in the world.”
Tamo Mibang, Hon. Vice Chancellor, Rajiv Gandhi University, Arunachal Pradesh, in his opening remarks, said, “To govern India, a land full of diversity, is difficult. Too much talking of one group disturbs other’s freedom. To stop the functioning of parliament is not a good sign for democracy. We should sit and talk on main issues.”
Adv. Swati Nakhate said, “The credit of Maratha Silent Marches goes to the whole Maratha Community. There were no particular leaders, all participants were leaders. Many politicians were surprised to see so many people coming out in numbers, which they hardly manage to arrange. We will always stand against the injustice to women.”
Dr. Rajiv Saizal from Kasauli, Himachal Pradesh was conferred the Ideal Youth MLA award at the hands of chairman of the session.
