Apology by Aziz Burney - victory of pursuing lawful path
Vinay Joshi,
Vivek
February 12, 2011.
After the terrorist attack on Mumbai on November 26, 2008, Urdu mass
media and Muslim society in general started venomous propaganda against
Hindutvawadi organizations and Indian Security Forces. The daily Rojnama
Rashtriya Sahara is one such example. The daily had published anti-
national writings after the 26/11 incident. Advocate Prashant Maggu and
Vinay Joshi fought a legal battle against this. Aziz Burney,
editor-in-chief of Rojnama Rashtriya Sahara apologized to the nation in
his daily on January 29, 2011. The article below (translated from the
Marathi weekly provides information about the legal battle.
Kasab's testimony during the inquiry in Mumbai terrorist attack on
November 26, 2008 brought forward names like Hafiz Sayed, Pakistan and
ISI. Within a month after the attack, the eminent Urdu daily Rojnama
Rashtriya Sahara started publishing several articles linking Mossad,
intelligence bureau from Israel, CIA, American Intelligence force and
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Singh (RSS) to 26/11 attack.
Almost all Urdu dailies were publishing similar type of articles. But
Rojnama Rashtria Sahara published a special edition in January 2009
entitled Shaheed-E -Vatan Hemant Karkare Ko Salam! (Salute to martyr
Hemant Karkare!) The issue was published simultaneously in Urdu, Hindi
and English. In this edition, charges were leveled against Indian army,
Intelligence bureau, RSS, CIA and Mossad. These charges were similar to
charges leveled by media in Pakistan regarding 26/11 incident. It
implied that the terrorist attack in Mumbai was carried out with the
consent and cooperation from these four agencies.
Apart from these the main arguments in the charges made by Sahara were:
1)The security force in Nepal arrested Ajmal Kasab two years ago in
Kathmandu and Indian intelligence bureau brought him to India after
26/11attack on Mumbai.
2) The higher authorities with criminal background from Mumbai police
force killed Hemant Karkare with the help of Indian army.
3) CIA, Mossad, Narendra Modi and RSS are responsible for 26/11 attack.
4)Constables from Mumbai police force fired at CST railway station and
some BJP volunteers who had already arrested Kasab brought him before CC
TV camera.
After reading these allegations we wrote a letter to Mumbai police
commissioner seeking clarification regarding these allegations and
asking to file a crime suit against Sahara. In its reply Mumbai police
commissioner refused to take action by stating that this issue is in the
power of Delhi police.
Having left with no option, we filed a court suit against Aziz Burney,
editor-in-chief of Sahara (Urdu) on August 9, 2009. The charges were
involvement in anti-national activities, plotting against the country
and waging a war against the country. Advocate Prashant Maggu appealed
an action under articles 121, 108, 107, 117, 124 (A), 153 (A), 153 (B),
505 (2) and 506 of Indian constitution and MOCCA (Maharashtra organized
Crime Control Act). The allegations leveled by Aziz Burney refuted the
claims made on international level by Indian external affairs ministry,
central home ministry and Mumbai police and defamed Indian security
forces and intelligence forces, so it was necessary to take action
against them.
An appeal was made to press council of India to cancel recognition of
Rojnama Rashtriya Sahara. Press council is still investigating the
matter. Later information was collected regarding Burney's international
visits along with the prime minister. The man who was involved in
writing anti-national articles was provided with security service of
Central Industrial Security Force. Notice was issued to take away the
security. The central home ministry took a prompt action and removed the
security of Burney.
When this case was filed, Burney was trying an entry in Rajya Sabha
through president's reserved quota. But there was a stay on his entry to
Rajya Sabha because of this court suit. Engrossed with problems all
around, on January 29, 20011, Aziz Burney apologized on the front page
in his paper Rojnama Rashtriya Sahara. Advocate Prashant Maggu fought
the case bravely and lodged complaints constantly against Burney's
anti-national writings. Though Aziz Burney has apologized to the
country, the court battle against his anti-national activities will
continue in future also.
The role of Urdu media in India regarding terrorism is extremely
objectionable. Rakesh Sinha, Pro. India policy Foundation, Delhi has
discussed in details the anti-national stance by Urdu media in his book
'terrorism and Indian media". It is clear that the main motive of people
like Aziz Burney or Digvijay Singh is creating doubt in the minds of
journalists, citizens, media, investigative agencies, armed forces and
secondly to hide the pro terrorist activities by Pakistan. To control
these activities, we should always follow lawful means and be prepared
for the persistent legal battle.
The venomous propaganda by Rojnama Rashtria Sahara is not the only
example. There are numerous newspapers, weeklies, monthlies and
individuals all around involved in anti-national writings. We should be
always alert and be aware of their activities and should nullify their
activities by pursuing a lawful path.
