KANNUR : As majority of national media sits nestled in BJP arms pitching their propaganda, more and more people will realise the need for bold media like ‘ Deshabhimani”, said CPI(M) Politburo member Prakash Karat. Times as we are faced with now call for media that doesnot bow down to the ruling class, said Karat at Rajat Jubilee Celebrations of Deshabhimani in Kannur inaugurating its concluding day.
From its very inception, Deshabhimani has been voice of the toiling class. It has mirrored the ambitions and protests of the people. Deshabhimani upholds its for-ever message that, political independence should accompany social and economic independence too. In the pre-independence era, Deshabhimani was on the forefront in fight against imperialism - a reason why, the British attempted to clamp down numerous restraints and prohibitions. It mounted vast amounts in fines. However each time,Deshabhimani tided over the penalty with funds offered by the public to keep its publication going.
In my student days, when I arrived in Kerala’s Malabar to research farmers’ protests, I happened to chance on a confidential note send by then Collector to the Home Ministry, Karat said. There was no use trying to restrain Deshabhimani, it read. Each time a fine is imposed, the Malabar communists get greater public backing and end up raising larger funds from them, the letter said.
After independence, Deshabhimani continues that tradition intact - standing firmly by the side of the restless and anxious masses. The newspaper is missioned to uphold democracy and social justice, Karat said.
The vast majority of news media operates under pressures from BJP. This became more evident to public during the peak of Delhi protests when the media were largely engaged in propagating Centre’s perspective. In doing that, they blend toxic communal ideology into their news coverage. As a result, several Hindi channels faced huge protests protesting public, Karat said.
