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Row over Netaji portrait: President’s press secretary writes scathing letter to India Today Group

In the letter, President’s press secretary says that the “journalists of the India Today group” didn’t bother to do even the basic fact-check, and “joined the ranks of those who were throwing wild accusations for political gains”.

New Delhi: The press secretary of President of India has written a scathing letter to India Today Group over ‘irresponsible and juvenile’ behaviour of a section of journalists over Subhash Chandra Bose portrait controversy.

The letter has taken strong exception to the way portrait controversy blew up, apparently on backing of section of scribes, a couple of them which belonged to the media house.

On 25th January, President Ram Nath Kovind unveiled a portrait of Subhas Chandra Bose at the Rashtrapati Bhavan to commemorate the 125th birth anniversary of Netaji.

However, the social media gave it altogether a different spin and alleged that President had actually unveiled a portrait of Bengali actor Prosenjit Chatterjee instead of Netaji.

Many political leaders like TMC RS MP Mahua Moitra and many noted journalists like Rajdeep Sardesai jumped on the outrage.

In the letter, President’s press secretary says that the “journalists of the India Today group” didn’t bother to do even the basic fact-check, and “joined the ranks of those who were throwing wild accusations for political gains”.

“In gleefully ridiculing the high Constitutional office, they not only discredited their professional ethics, but also cast a shadow on the office of the President of India. You will agree that such irresponsible and juvenile behaviour compromises the dignity of the Rashtrapati Bhavan,” the letter read.

The letter is highly critical of the media conglomerate and even hinted at reviewing its engagements with the India Today after this public spectacle.

“I believe this is unpardonable conduct, for the individuals involved as well as for the platform from which they seek to draw legitimacy. This episode has caused deep distress at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, and we are forced to review our engagements with the India Today group.”