Media ends Boycott

The unprecedented impasse in the form of media boycott of J&K legislature proceedings over the controversial remarks of the Speaker Mohammed Akbar Lone made on the floor of the House on February 27, 2012 ended on the third day today after the former retracted stating that he was misunderstood.Lone said that because of communication gap, the media persons could not understand his real intentions and what exactly was in his mind. In the same breath, he admitted that he should not have used the word ‘control.’
Speaker had earlier said in the House that ‘media was under his control.’

He was talking to media persons after making a statement in the Lower House on the issue.In the Lower House, he said, “While welcoming my friends in the Press Gallery I would like to remind them that what I said is confined to the House and the Galleries only as is provided in the rule…... I never meant to hurt them at all and feel that some misunderstanding has cropped in their minds which I think has now no scope at all.”
While interacting with media, an emotionally charged Lone said, “….Shayad Communication Gap Ki Wazah Say Kuchh Alfaz Aisay Meray Say Bhi Nikalay…Maine Word `Control’ Jo Istemaal Kiya….should not have done. Mujhe `Control’ Lafz Nahin Kehna Chahiye Tha. Meray Kehne Ka Us Waqt Matlab Yeh Hai….(Perhap because of communication gap…. this all occurred…I too uttered some words…the word ‘control’ which I’ve used I should not have used. Nevertheless I only meant to say that we all, be it the Chief Minister, Health Minister or the media persons, should adhere to the rules of the House.)”

He further added, “Iss Par Aapko Galatfehmi Paida ho Gayi. Par Mujhe Gila Yeh Hai Kay Agar Aapke Ilam Mein Meray Alfaz Say Koi Khalish Paida Ho Gayi… Aap Kisi Tariqay Say Mujh Tak Khud Woh Alfaz Pahuncha Detay (This created confusion. I’ve a grouse. If those remarks had hurt you, you should have conveyed it to me by any means..) but should not have allowed to happen what happened, perhaps then either I would have amended those words or would have withdrawn immediately. I would have definitely done something but because of lack of patience (on the part of media), the things went awry.”
He regretted that because of communication gap, the media persons could not comprehend his real intentions and “Dil Ki Baat.”

“Media Persons Ko Galat Fehmi Paida Ho Gayi. Mujhe Apni Jagah Afsos Hai Kay Communication Gap Honey Ki Wajah Say Aap Log Mera Sahi Intention, Dil Ki Baat Nahin Samajh Paaye. Meray Kehne Ka Matlab Sirf Yeh Tha Andar House Kay Andar Jo Hamara Yeh Muqaddas Aiwaan Hai Iska Taqaddus Tabhi Barkaraar Reh Sakta Hai Jab Hum Sab Milkar Iske Taqaddus Ko Barkaraar Rakhein………(I really feel sorry that the media persons misunderstood me. May be because of communication gap, the media could not understand my real intention, what was in my mind. I only meant to say that inside the House……..which is sacrosanct for us…, this is the responsibility of all to maintain its sanctity..). This is the responsibility of all, be it the treasury benches, opposition, independent members or even the Presiding Officer, to respect the oath taken,” Lone said.

“I don’t know whether it’s politics or it happened because of politics. Kyunki Kuchh Log Hain Jo Khush Bhi Hotay Hain Jo Bada Uncha Neecha Karnay Ki Koshish Kartay Hain. Iss Saarey Daur Mein Sabse Zyada Mujhe Jo Afsos Hai …..Sabse Zyada Afsos Hai Aur Jo Meray Dil Par Gujregi….. Dil Par Zabardast Gujregi ……..Woh Hai Jo Kal Chief Minister Sahib Ki Speech Ko Coverage Nahin Mil Gaya Magar Main Phir Bhi Unko Daad Detaa Hoon Unhonay Uskay Bawjood Bhi …Gila Nahin Kiya Kay Meri Wazah Say Unki Speech Ko Coverage Nahin Mili…..Mujhe Ek Lafz Bhi Nahin Kaha…. (There are certain people who try to exploit the situation for their vested interests. But my biggest regret is that because of me the Chief Minister’s address could not get coverage. Still I’m grateful that he did not complain, did not utter even a singly word to me on this account),” Speaker made a veiled attack on the bête-noire (read PDP).
He continued, “Iss Saarey Mahaul Mein Jin Logon Nay Galat Tareeqay Say Kaam Kiya Hai I Leave it to God…. Unko Saza Milani Chahiye Jinhonay Ismein Hamaarey Aur Aapke Beech Mein Jo Khalish Paida Karnay Ki Koshish Ki ….(In these circumstances those who tried to exploit the situation and tried to create a wedge between us and your fraternity, should get punishment yet that I leave it to God).”

He, however, extended gratitude to the senior ministers viz., Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ali Mohammed Sagar, Minister for PHE, Irrigation & Flood Control Taj Mohi-ud-Din Sahib, Minister for Industries S S Slathia, both Political Advisors to the Chief Minister Devender Rana and Mubarak Gul,  Director Information, JKNPP MLA Harsh Dev Singh, CPI-M MLA M Y Tarigami, MLA Jammu West Prof Chaman Lal Gupta and Abdul Rashid Engineer who, he said, made great efforts to end the impasse.
Lone said that they were concerned that in the given scenario, the issue could be used to create a wedge between the legislature and media.

He also thanked those media persons who tried to broker peace and cautioned him against step which could further widen the gap, yet refrained from making their names public.

Earlier in his statement in the House, the Speaker said that when he was unanimously elected as the Speaker of the Assembly, he had very humbly appealed among others the media that the state of Jammu and Kashmir was passing through very difficult and tough situation as such it was obligatory on the part of every body to adopt a constructive approach towards the welfare and development of the state.

“But it has been observed that sometimes the proceedings of the House are being published in a distorted and misrepresented character. Here we’re supposed to behave very responsibly and adhere strictly to the Business Rules to ensure the sanctity and sacrosanct position of this august House,” the Presiding Officer Legislative Assembly stated and quoted a rule.

The rule reads: The publication of false or distorted, partial or injurious report of debates or proceedings of the House or its Committee or willful misrepresentation or suppression of speeches of particular members, is an offense of the same character as the publication of libels upon the House, its Committees or members; and the persons who are responsible for such publication are liable to be punished for a breach of privilege or contempt of the House.

He said at various occasions the ministers and the Members approached him with the plea that ‘the media does not publish news based on facts and such a tendency tarnishes their image among the minds of the general masses.’

“Isn’t it imperative on the part of the media to adhere strictly to the rules of the House strictly in accordance with the factual position?” he questioned. Yet in the same breath he added that the media trial had no doubt its own importance in the system but it should be based on mutual respect.

“In case, there is any doubt in their (media persons’) minds while publishing any news item they can by all means approach the concerned quarters to receive their version as well or get it rectified/corrected by my Secretariat. I once again hope that they will, for the welfare of the state, desist from publishing the proceedings of the House in a distorted or misrepresented manner,” Lone said.

He also appealed to the Members to behave responsibly to ensure the credibility of this institution at all costs as this ‘House is supreme for all the pillars of the system and has to be respected in the same spirit.’

He added, “While welcoming my friends in the Press Gallery I would like to remind them that what I said is confined to the House and the Galleries only as is provided in the rule I have quoted above. I never meant to hurt them at all and feel that some misunderstanding has cropped in their minds which I think has now no scope at all.”

He stated the Leader of the House Omar Abdullah had all along been telling him to control himself while addressing the concerns of the House, the members of the opposition and the media.
The Speaker said that he (Lone) had great respect and regard for the media persons.