CNN-IBN's principal correspondent Preeti Singh joined IBNLive readers for an interaction on what MIM MLA Akbaruddin Owaisi's hate speech reflects of Indian Politics.
Q. MIM is a religious party,who wins elections playing with religious sentiments of people. Inspite of representing muslims they haven't done thing for there upliftment. Hyderabad old city didn't had proper roads, drinking water untill Chandrababu Naidu came to power in 1996 and developed Hyderabad including old city. It's high time parties like MIM should be banned. What's your take on this? Asked by: Kiran_KK
A. Kiran, the fact that MIM does have 7 MLAs & 1 MP and has been a political force to reckon with in parts of Hyderabad indicates the party does have a standing. The point here, according to me, should be fear of law.
Q. What's the difference between Pravin Togadia and Akbaruddin Owaisi? Asked by: Jack
A. Prima facie, they seem to have more similarities!
Q. Owaisi should be with Hafeez saeed by looking at his speech? How do you see the owaisi brothers religious hatred? Why now they are increasing their hatred? Asked by: prithviraj
A. At the end of it, it's all about vote-bank politics. The ruling governments (TDP & Cong) are equally responsible for letting this happen through the years.
Q. Is it not time for Hindus to unite behind BJP as it seems to be the only party with Pro hindu credentials? Asked by: Ankit
A. Politics of hate is not the recipe for a secular democracy!
Q. The so called 'Minority Community' in this issue can get away with any tirade as long as they can pull in votes? Asked by: Jai
A. Both Akbaruddin Owaisi & Praveen Togadia have cases registered against them for their hate speeches in Hyderabad. It is not about a particular community. It is about any individual attacking the country's secularism. One cannot be selective about this.
Q. Don't you feel MIM is the most communal party existing in our country and should not the Congress instead of BJP should be tagged as communal by being in alliance with them? Asked by: Ankit
A. Ankit, the Congress is guilty of turning a blind eye all these years. But each party has played vote bank politics.. & that really is the biggest threat to our democracy. Doesn't matter if it's the BJP/Cong/MIM.
Q. When varun gandhi made a similar speech, MSM was making a big issue out of it. His speech was telecast multiple times. When owaisi does the same, MSM is silent and it started talking about this issue only after pressurized by social media & it does not show his speech too. Why these double standards? Asked by: Bala
A. Showing the speech is never an option. It only gives it a bigger audience & defeats the very purpose of picking the story.
Q. What are the advantages for a majority in a secular democracy? As a Hindu, do elaborate why I must follow your recipe for secular democracy. Asked by: NotAnAnarchist
A. You must follow it if you believe in the power of democracy. Our variety is our strength. I think the idea is to have equal opportunities.. not advantages over one another.
Q. Owaisi made hate speeches before as well, Why was the media silent then? Asked by: Kiran_KK
A. Apologies if that's how it seems. This was one of the most brazen speeches I have heard. Cases were registered as soon as we reported on the story. Be it Praveen Togadia, Varun Gandhi or Akbaruddin Owaisi, each one has been reported on.
Q. When I compare media behavior during varun's speech and now owaisi's speech, I could clearly see that media was underplaying owaisi's speech just because he belongs to minority community. Any comments? Asked by: XYZ
A. Dear XYZ(?),just answered this in the prev qn. There is absolutely no reason to brush anythng under the carpet. My reports on the story are your proof.
Q. I would like to ask why is Mr Kiran Kumar Reddy is not responding to the Hate speech of Owaisi is that because he'll not get the support of MIM in the next election? but he did not know that he is loosing a lot of other people votes.. No congress MLA or MP of AP has raised voice against him. Asked by: Srinvas Khatri
A. We did question him on the govt's delay in acting tough. He does not admit there has been any delay. One can't help but wonder about political compulsions since MIM had been a key ally for more than a decade.
Q. Owaisi's speeches are not shown by the media unlike Varun gandhi. media should be unbiased... if u can show Mr Gandhi's video then Electronic media must show what Owaisi said. Asked by: indian
A. Guess, atleast we respect Sec 153 (a) IPC!
Q. When a Hindutva activist make a wrong speech, media shows it in headlines immediately and goes hammer and tongs. When similar speech is made by others, media does report it, but does not give the same front page coverage. It makes many people feel media is biased. Can you honestly say media is unbiased? Asked by: Sankar
A. We cannot & must not be selective. CNN-IBN reported on both the instances you are referring to. Yes, in the Owaisi case, I think the regional media in AP could have done more.
Q. Don't you think that in the name of secularism and to have strong democracy, we r supreesing the voice/feelings of the majority Hindus in our own country? Asked by: Shyam Vadalker
A. Shyam, my understanding of democracy is that of a 'give & take'. Be it respect or opportunities. And just for clarity, what are these "feelings/voices" you talk of?
Q. Do you think BJP would now have a chance to play the religion card in AP and get into a good position? Asked by: Karthik
A. It's definitely a political opportunity for the BJP. The Bhagyalakshmi temple was also another issue. And that is one of the concerns. The venom only spreads. Law must contain it asap.
Q. After Gujarat elections every AP senior congress member appeared on TV debates, on a state issues like this none of them are ready to comment. Do they fear for MIM? Asked by: Kiran_KK
A. A senior state Congress leader told me "There is not much to defend."
Q. Why this I-govt act/reacts slowly.. towards when its come to another C'nity.. do u think this govt will act while looking his vote bank..? !! Asked by: C-garu
A. Congress & MIM have been allies for 14 long years. Hyderabad is MIM's stronghold. No legal action taken. I think the ruling congress succumbed to political compulsions.
Q. If you are from a minority group, you can talk or do anything. Still you would be called a secular. There are so many parties having either caste or religion in their name. Still they are not called communal? What's your take on this? Asked by: siva
A. Thanks for your question Siva. There is a line between our Freedom of expression & getting Communal. Having party names with caste/religion is not the problem. According to me having cadre & legislators who use that to incite enemity between 2 communities is the trouble. But nevertheless, maybe your point is a suggestion for the Election Commission.
Q. Media had repeatedly shown video clippings of Varun's speech earlier. Why the media did not respect Sec 153 (a) IPC, as it is doing currently in case of owaisi? Asked by: BalaS
A. Yours is the last question Bala, so on a lighter note, this one was a 1 hour long speech!!
Comments
0 comment