Katju raps Bihar again, NDA hits back

Feb 26, 2012 - ANAND S.T. DAS |

Age Correspondent

Patna

Bihar politics was on Saturday enmeshed in wordy duels over Press Council of India (PCI) chairman Justice Markandey Katju’s statements about endangered press freedom in the state. But the retired Supreme Court judge continued his criticism of the Nitish Kumar-led government the second day.

Even as top leaders of Bihar’s ruling NDA hit out at Justice Katju with reactions ranging from plain ridicule to suggestions of a political motive, the chief minister kept silent in tune with his typical initial response to sensitive issues. “Is it necessary to express a reaction on every issue?” asked Mr Kumar.
Visiting the religious town of Gaya, Justice Katju kept up his tough stance on press freedom being apparently curtailed in Bihar. “Journalists in Bihar are being harassed in many ways and nobody has the guts to write against the state government. This is wrong. This is a violation of the Constitution, which guarantees press freedom. This government must realise it is under the Constitution. If it violates the Constitution, I will not allow it to continue”.
Shocked to see the repulsively unhygienic public places in Gaya, Justice Katju said: “Filthy drains, black water, uncovered drains with flies over them and people living close by…Has Bihar gone back to a time before the Indus Valley Civilisation?”

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