The electronic media is responsible for creating the messy situation in Andhra Pradesh. With the sole objective of catching more and more eyeballs to increase their TRP ratings, the 24×7 channels have vied with each other by spicing up the news.
Mr. K. Chandrasekhar Rao (KCR) played the final gambit to announce fast-unto-death for his political survival. His party (TRS) had bitten the dust in the recent Assembly elections and he did not have the nerve to contest in the Greater Hyderabad elections held a few weeks ago. As though there is no other issue of national importance, the media puffed-up the Telangana issue – forcing the doctors attending on KCR to issue frequent health bulletins on his condition, highlighting the suicides committed by students, repeatedly telecasting the visuals of police lathi charge in Osmania University, etc. This led to a knee-jerk reaction by the Centre to announce the initiation of the process for a separate state. The least the UPA government should have done was, to form an all-party committee to evolve a consensus on such a delicate issue. Ironically, though KCR’s 10 days fast was focused in the headlines by all 24×7 channels, hardly any channel has brought to limelight, the ongoing 9-year old fast-unto-death by Irom Sharmila, who is demanding the withdrawal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (APSPA) in Manipur.
Syed Sultan Mohiddin
Kadapa, A.P.