Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s recent remarks at a poll rally in Maharashtra’s Amravati district have sparked controversy, particularly among journalists. While addressing the crowd on November 16, Gandhi not only criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi but also took aim at the media. He described journalists as “slaves” who are bound by their dependence on salaries to meet their personal needs.
The Mumbai Press Club strongly disapproved of Rahul Gandhi’s comments about journalists, calling his remarks “deeply troubling” and indicative of a “high-handed attitude.”
Rahul Gandhi's high-handed attitude toward working journalists is deeply troubling and warrants serious concern.
At an election rally in Amaravati, Maharashtra, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, made sweeping remarks about working journalists, accusing… pic.twitter.com/14BcfAt0qz
— Mumbai Press Club (@mumbaipressclub) November 17, 2024
The Mumbai Press Club issued a statement condemning the tone of Rahul Gandhi’s remarks, calling them “condescending” despite being presented as concern for journalists. The organisation questioned, “Has Mr. Gandhi ever reflected on the underlying causes of the challenges faced by working journalists in India, as well as the broader state of journalism?”
The statement added, “If Mr. Gandhi genuinely wants to address the challenges faced by journalists, he should consider directing his criticism toward media owners and the structural issues within the industry.”
It also pointed out that working journalists, constantly under the threat of dismissal and operating in a saturated job market, face significant risks in challenging the system.
The group also expressed concern over Gandhi’s repeated criticism of journalists, raising questions about how his party might engage with the media if it returns to power. “While we acknowledge the significant challenges posed by the current government’s authoritarian stance toward the media, it is equally troubling to see Mr. Gandhi consistently targeting journalists,” the statement said.
Rahul Gandhi, during his speech in Amaravati, said, “They (journalists) belong to them (BJP). It’s funny when I say that-they look at me and smile, as if to say, ‘Yes, we belong to them.’ It’s not their fault. They want to work, they need a salary, they have to pay for their kids’ education, they want to eat. They can’t work against their owner; they are a slave of sorts.”
The Press Club emphasised that while journalists face significant pressures, dismissive rhetoric only undermines their challenges and overlooks the underlying issues such as job insecurity and declining protections. “What the media—and democracy—deserve is constructive dialogue and accountability, not dismissive remarks,” the statement concluded.
Maharashtra is preparing for its assembly elections on November 20, with the vote count scheduled for November 23.
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