There are reports that more details are coming up since NIA interrogated some media men. That is, a WhatsApp group of media men having allegiance to extremist ideologies. NIA has reportedly found out that the group discussed the WhatsApp hartal (called for by Islamic extremists), anti-CAA agitation, Lakshadweep issues, and so on.
NIA also traced that these media men were fabricating news stories based on the group discussions. Reports also suggest that a woman media person, who had reacted loudly to the Lakshadweep issues, was one among them.
It is a well-known fact that Kerala is the largest terrorist recruiting state in the entire country. And several sleeper cells are working in the state. NIA has interrogated six media men, including a visual media man in Kerala. He had spent most of his career outside Kerala. He closely interacted with Siddiq Cappan, who was jailed for alleged Anti-National activities. Naturally, he was on the radars of the NIA and Central Intelligence agencies. NIA had started to monitor the media men strictly since the Union Government banned PFI. NIA is expected to interrogate more media men in the days to come.
Media men in the country, in general, and Kerala, in particular, always talk on top of their voices from the rooftops that they are a privileged class, thanks to the ‘press of freedom’ derived from ‘Freedom of Expression’ enshrined in our Constitution. Some of them believe that it authorizes them to go to the extent of supporting Anti-National forces. If Siddiq Cappan is arrested, they shout for freedom of the press and are ready to move the court. But, if the Janam TV crew is manhandled in the JNU campus, they keep mum. In other words, they selectively wield their privilege.
Recently there were reports of SDPI’s Club House discussions on the PFI ban and the confiscation of PFI properties to compensate for the damages caused by the ‘Flash Hartal’ of September 23, 2022. Total damage is calculated to be Rs 5.20 crores. According to the reports, the Club House discussion was dominated by challenges against the Union Government and the confiscation of PFI assets.
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