Tags:
Journalism of Courage
NEW DELHI, Feb 25: The Lok Sabha today witnessed uproarious scenes during question hour with members taking exception to remarks by Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Pramod Mahajan that he had no control over Prasar Bharati Board which was autonomous.
Taking exception to this, former prime minister Chandra Shekhar charged that the minister "should behave in the House" and that "if the minister does not know his job and responsibility, he should not continue in office."
This provoked the treasury benches with members strongly objecting to Chandra Shekhar’s remarks. Civil Aviation Minister Ananth Kumar demanded that the former prime minister withdraw his words and was supported by Vaiko (MDMK) and several BJP members who were on their legs.
Supporting Chandra Shekhar, Opposition members including Laloo Prasad Yadav, Mulayam Singh Yadav and several Congress members shouted at BJP members and charged Mahajan with being arrogant and interfering with the working of Prasar Bharati.
Mahajan said "Chandra Shekhar has made harsh comments and he has every right to do so as he is a very senior member of the House. However, if he has a right to say that I don’t deserve to be a minister then I too have the right to say that he (Chandra Shekhar) does not deserve to be prime minister."
The furore began when Mahajan was replying to a question regarding the continuance of popular TV programme "Aaj Tak" beyond March 31 when its contract terminates. He said since the Prasar Bharati board was autonomous, it was up to that body to decide on the future of the programme.
Mahajan denied there was any interference by the government in Doordarshan or "Aaj Tak" programmes and that he could only convey the feelings of the members to the board.
On the demand by members as to the future of "Aaj Tak" programme, he said "I have no authority to continue or discontinue it under the law and therefore, how can I assure the House. However, I will convey the sentiments of the House to the board as a communications minister though I do not hold that portfolio".
A visibly annoyed Chandra Shekar was immediately on his legs saying "We are setting a new definition for autonomy. If the minister says he was not responsible then he has no right to continue in office. I have never heard such an answer."
This triggered off heated exchanges between treasury and Opposition Benches. At one stage, Laloo Yadav stormed into the well of the House followed immediately by his party colleagues and those of the Samajwadi Party ignoring repeated pleas by Speaker G M C Balayogi to restore order.
Amidst the noisy scenes, Mahajan made several attempts to reply to the charges made by Chandra Shekhar but was unable to do so because of the uproar which continued till the Speaker announced that the question hour was over.
However, Mahajan said it was unfair that he was not given an opportunity to reply to the allegations made by former prime minister.
Leader of Opposition Sharad Pawar requested the Speaker to allow Mahajan to reply as the entire House wanted to know the locus standi of the government.
Mahajan denied the charge of Rupchand Pal (CPI-M) that Government had blacked out the news on the convention of secular parties saying that the government did not interfere in the day to day functioning of Prasar Bharati and that he could only function under the law of the land, and under the law he cannot interfere with Prasar Bharati.
He said "Aaj Tak" was not subjected to preview since December, 1997, onwards and is telecast as given and "government does not even look at it."
