August 5, 2016
Trinamool’s Derek O’Brien seeks clarification from Home Minister regarding media blackout during SAARC Summit
Sir, for the last 18 years Trinamool Congress has always been firmly behind the Government on international issues. It is no different today. We are completely on board and welcome this statement.
I have a specific clarification to make because there are two stories going around. It’s best once and for all the Home Minister clarify this, because it’ll be better for all of us here in the House. There is one view that Doordarshan and ANI, who went there, were not given an opportunity. Your speech, Sir, was deliberately blacked out; they were not allowed. Was that the case? Or, the second is, there are some people who are trying to spread some other rumours, saying that this was actually the precedence.
If it was the first, it is a matter of serious concern, Sir; obviously, we are completely behind you. But since there are two stories going around, it is better if you clarify once and for all that it is the first, because then, as the Leader of the Opposition said, we take strong exception to something like this done to the Home Minister of India.
