UP govt should withdraw case against scribe

The million-dollar question is how a journalist can be held guilty of criminal conspiracy for exposing corruption or child's rights as we may call. In a democracy, people have the right to know what the government is doing with their taxpayer's money. Even Napoleon Bonaparte feared for the fourth estate than a thousand bullets.

An FIR is reported to have been registered against a TV journalist who taped the visuals of students eating sub-standard food with roti and salt served in a school somewhere in the Mirzapur district of UP. This is highly unconstitutional. It erodes the freedom of speech and expression enshrined in our Constitution.

He has reported about the poor quality of food served though students are entitled to have a nutritious square meal. He is a whistle-blower exposing corruption. He needs protection.

It is unfair on the part of the government to initiate action against a whistle-blower. The problem needs to be resolved and corrupt should be booked immediately. The UP government should withdraw the case.

-Sravana Ramachandran, Chennai