
Vidhaya Krishnan COVID article
Using Virus as Chakra in National Flag is Responsible Journalism or Intellectual terrorism?
We are facing a pandemic, India is under a national health emergency and we are fighting a battle with Corona. In this time of crisis, the Government decided to go under a lockdown period of 21 days. Essential services were excluded along with the media to keep things at ease.
In this time of crisis, the media was excluded and expected to behave responsibly. So far, it has been great. Media is doing its best-keeping people informed about COVID and the current situation of the country. At times when people are locked down in their homes, we are their eyes and ears. In this time of crisis, people are trusting Journalists blindly in expectations of being heard and informed with correct information. Not letting them down, journalists are on field reporting with pride of national service but, some journalists are still attached to their old tradition of criticizing the government.
Yes, criticizing the government and asking questions is our job but, to an extent. We must not cross our lines, not spread fake news and misleading information based on sources. It does nothing but, creates panic.
A journalist Vidya went too far while criticizing the way government is dealing with COVID.
She used coronavirus as Chakara in the flag. Considering it a national insult would be an insult itself. Her article is another debate but, how to trust a person who is not ashamed of insulting her own nation just to be heard.
Everything that’s wrong with #India‘s #COVID19 response flows from Jan/Feb.
Instead of stockpiling, like all nations, Modi govt was tearing apart the social fabric with a pogrom & police brutality that set the tone for it
I write for @TheAtlantichttps://t.co/zeNPDJEr2O
— Vidya (@VidyaKrishnan) March 27, 2020
Social media and twitter definitely had a reaction over it and soon ‘national flag was trending. With most of the tweets asking for an action.
First In suppport were congress leader like Sanjay Jha
I hope everyone is reading this in the government. There is still a long way to go.
The experts seem to be concerned about India. Let’s step up on the fight.
“The Callousness of India’s COVID-19 Response” – The Atlantic https://t.co/tDbHsOaJ0i
— Sanjay Jha (@JhaSanjay) March 28, 2020
BJP leader Suresh Nakhua wrote, it is a deliberate insult to Nation
, @TheAtlantic and @VidyaKrishnan,
This is a deliberate insult to our National flag.
This is seditious. Action should be taken.
P.S.
This Vidya is ex-Hindu (cut crop paste fame) and was caught spreading fake news.pic.twitter.com/ifEqICAwVL— Suresh Nakhua ?? ( सुरेश नाखुआ ) (@SureshNakhua) March 28, 2020
As per this Act, insulting the National Flag of India, is a criminal offence and punishable under the law.
If these suspects are foreign nationals, then the online distribution of The Atlantic should be debarred in India.
People associated with this criminal act must be punished. pic.twitter.com/cY6itouMGo— Soumyadipta (@Soumyadipta) March 28, 2020
Well done, Vidya Krishnan. Bashing your own country at a time of crisis, for a byline in an international (American) publication. Not to mention America itself is a total mess right now trying to control the spread of #COVID19 ? pic.twitter.com/nnWSgCwcVy
— Ishita Yadav (@IshitaYadav) March 28, 2020
@AmitShah @HMOIndia Will any legal action be taken on vidya Krishnan for distorting the national flag and also spreading fake news and fear mongering? pic.twitter.com/OdaSAXtHRu
— Prabhu (@prabhuferrari) March 28, 2020
Sir @DelhiPolice this journlaist from @thecaravanindia @VidyaKrishnan is disrespecting the national flag @BlrCityPolice @MumbaiPolice @dhaval241086 @UnSubtleDesi @CestMoiz @__phoenix_fire_ @iAnkurSingh @KyaUkhaadLega pic.twitter.com/m41NNICjCG
— the dark knight I N (@wayne241189) March 28, 2020
While going through the net for latest news, came across this news where it is showing the Indian flag but instead of Ashoke Chakra it’s showing the virus. This is insulting the national flag and people of India. Link of the paper below.https://t.co/atrJYT2DL2 pic.twitter.com/hnQRWnH9UK
— Himadri (@Himadri23555836) March 28, 2020