Recently the CBI raided the residence and other properties of the promoters of NDTV, Prannoy Roy and Radhika Roy. It is seen as an attack on the media, more so since the BJP spokesperson, Sambit Patra was asked to leave the panel discussion on beef ban, where he made certain offensive statements. This has naturally caused sharp controversy. No one is above the law but law should be even -handed and not arbitrary. The Editor’s Guild has expressed deep concern over the outrage especially because Prannoy Roy has been a very eminent TV personality. Entry of the police and other agencies into media offices is a matter of serious criticism. It is taken for granted that details of the case registered against the Roys will lead to disturbing questions about the way the CBI functions. The allegation is that the Roys, in cahoots with some officials of the ICICI bank were engaged in questionable financial deals a decade back. However, the complainant is just a shareholder of NDTV and the bank. Except the Roys, no one has been named in the CBI’s first information report (FIR).
The CBI is a very powerful agency and should be above suspicion. But it is called a caged parrot meaning that it is in the thrall of the ruling party. Governments everywhere should be prepared to face criticism from the media, however trenchant. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that criticism from the media is the essence of democracy and can help correct the shortcomings of the government. If the media is gagged, it will mean that the government is not accountable to society. That will also dent the county’s global image which the PM is doing his best to enhance. It follows that the CBI should not in any circumstances be driven by vendetta of any sort.
