Media must support moderate voices: Mahesh Bhatt at 'Vartha Bharati' decennial celebration

[email protected] (CD Network, Photos by Ahmed Anwar )

September 14, 2012

Mangalore, September 14: It is the media's job to support moderate voices in the society and not act as slaves of power centres, said Mahesh Bhatt, popular filmmaker and activist.

He was speaking after inaugurating the readers' convention of 'Vartha Bharathi' Kannada daily newspaper organised to mark its decennial year celebration in Mangalore on Friday.

“The media is a watchdog. It should not turn into a lapdog of power holders. Unfortunately today media goes with the idea that what is in the interest of the nation does not sell but what interests the nation sells. The media must not take sides of extremist forces but support the moderate voices in the society which in fact are very few in number”, Mr. Bhatt said.

Stating that secularism is still alive in India, Mr. Bhatt said that irrespective of whether unrests take place in Assam, Mangalore or Bangalore, it is the duty of every citizen to condemn such acts. In Assam, although there is some infiltration, it is wrong to paint all in the same brush and generate hatred, he said.

Prof. U R Ananthamurthy, Jnanpeeth Awardee, expressed his appreciation for the daily and said that there was an immediate need to eliminate all kind of stereotypes in the society.

Lamenting that there is widespread manufacturing of consent not just in media circles but also in day to day conversations in people spreading hatred against certain communities, Prof. Ananthamurthy said that it is high time people stopped generalizing things. Certain media, especially television news channels are wrongly subjecting every other topic to discussion. “Certain fundamental issues such as democracy and communalism are beyond discussions. They are out and out crimes and there is no need to discuss them”, he said.

Coming down hard on Narendra Modi, Gujarat Chief Minister, Prof. Ananthamurthy said that people must not allow the BJP heavyweight to become the country's Prime Minister. “Even the likes of Tatas stand by his side. Don't they see the criminal in him?” he asked. The media must also not speak extensively about Mr. Modi, he said. “The media talks about him so often that it makes him a big man. He must not be given attention. He should be treated like an untouchable”, he said.

B M Basheer, News Editor, Vartha Bharati, delivered the keynote address. Abdussalam Putthige, Editor-in-Chief, Vartha Bharati, delivered the Presidential address. Yaseen Malpe, Director, Madhyama Communications Ltd. Mangalore, welcomed. Aga Sultan, Former Member, AICTE, VTU and Bangalore University, H M Afroz Assadi, Director, Madhyama Communications Ltd, Mangalore, Syed Abdul Kader Bashu, Managing Trustee, Green Valley National School and PU College, Shiruru, were the guests of honour.

The Special Issue chronicling the journey of the daily over the last 10 years, was released on the occasion by Prof. Ananthamurthy. Selected readers also shared their views and suggestions on the occasion.

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No rift, no rebel: Siddaramaiah–DKS stage a dramatic show of unity after high command push

News Network

November 29,2025

New Delhi: Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah and deputy CM DK Shivakumar on Saturday put up a dramatic display of unity at a closely watched joint press briefing, firmly dismissing weeks of speculation about a power-sharing tussle within the Congress. With the high command nudging both leaders to sit together and settle the dust, the meeting became a political spectacle, ending with the duo declaring that there was “no confusion, no differences.”

Calling the reports of a rift “manufactured confusion,” Siddaramaiah said the talks had gone smoothly, even joking about their breakfast. “Breakfast was very good. All three of us enjoyed it,” he said. “We want to end this confusion once and for all. For local elections and for 2028, our mission is clear — Congress must return to power. There is no difference between me and DKS, not now, not before.”

He blamed the media for fuelling rumours and reiterated absolute adherence to the party leadership. “From tomorrow, let there be no confusion. What the high command says, we will follow.”

Siddaramaiah also assured that the Assembly session starting December 8 would run smoothly and vowed that Congress would take on the BJP and JD(S) “together.”

Shivakumar echoed the chief minister word for word, stressing loyalty and discipline. “People have given us a massive mandate. It is our duty to deliver,” he said. “This government was formed under Siddaramaiah’s leadership. We both have complete trust in the high command. If they tell me to wait, I will wait.”

He added that the two leaders had discussed strategy for the 2028 Assembly elections. “Whatever the CM says, I agree. We are loyal soldiers of the party. The party may be facing challenges nationally, but we will keep it strong in Karnataka.”

Shivakumar also said Siddaramaiah would soon visit his home for lunch or dinner — another symbolic gesture meant to underline their unity.

Both leaders later posted on social media describing the breakfast meeting as “productive” and focused on “Karnataka’s priorities.”

The BJP, however, rejected the show of camaraderie as “pure bunkum,” accusing Congress of trying to paper over an internal power struggle. But Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar insisted their united front would continue — and that there was “no confusion” within the state leadership.

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