After militant threats, Geelani says don’t coerce media

Expresses Concern Over India’s Defence Budget Increase.

Srinagar: Days after some militant groups warned journalists with dire consequences for “pro-government and biased reporting,” Chairman Hurriyat Conference (G) Saturday said media in Kashmir was working under “difficult circumstances” and should not be “coerced by any side.”
Without referring to the threat of militant groups to media, Geelani called for “tolerance to criticism and resolving issues without force and intimidation.”
“ Even though freedom of press forms the core of any democratic and civilized society , journalists in Kashmir are working in extremely difficult conditions as , like other institutions, the press in Kashmir is not being allowed to work free of State pressure and coercion. Therefore, in such circumstances, if any person or group has any complaints with journalists or newspapers, they should try and resolve the issue amicably,” Geelani said
“The kind of ideal society sought by Islam calls for understanding the compulsions of people, tolerance to criticism and resolving issues through argument and logic rather than force and intimidation,” Geelani said in a statement issued here to Press Bureau of India.
“Although the government imposed certain curbs on the freedom of press following the 2010- mass uprising, instead of cowering before the State, journalists should put up a joint front for restoration of their rights,” he said.
“The press can retain its true significance and importance as long as it holds onto the principles of independence and impartiality,” he said.
Geelani said he was for complete freedom of press and against any sort of pressure on journalists.
“Newspapers criticize us and we not only welcome it but also accept their right to criticize us , and instead of getting angry over it we try to put forth our point of view and leave it to the public to accept or reject our version,” he said.
Meanwhile, Geelani said that India had hiked its defence budget by nearly 30 thousand crore rupees to fulfill its “imperialistic designs.”
“At a time when 25 lakh people are dying in India every year due to hunger, the country is amassing weapons not because it needs them but just to fulfill its expansionist ambitions and bully neighbouring countries,” Geelani said in a statement issued here.
“The increase in India’s defence expenditure would add to the tension and political uncertainty in the region,” he said.
Geelani said that the 2011 census had revealed that more than 50 percent of India’s population was living below the poverty line and most people lacked basic amenities like toilet, water and electricity.
“It is surprising and unfortunate that a country whose economy is in such dismal condition should spend such huge amount on its defense . It seems that the policy makers in India are more concerned about bullying neighboring countries and fulfilling their imperialistic ambitions than improving the condition of the poor in their country,” he said.
“The primary motive behind this hike is to prolong the illegal occupation of Kashmir as India doesn’t want to fulfill the promises to Kashmiris. Had New Delhi been sincere about its democratic claims, it would have allowed Kashmiris to decide their future rather than hiking its defence budget to intimidate neighbouring countries and coerce Kashmiris for giving up their right to self determination. (KMW NEWS)