The Credible News: Lighting the way in darkness

The nation is grateful to people like Ashok Bhai, who have pledged to light the way in these dark times.

Respected colleagues,

Today is a historic day, as it marks the beginning of the Quit India Movement in 1942. A significant aspect of that movement was that as soon as it began, the British government arrested all the major Congress leaders, and the entire movement was led by the second and third line leaders. The result is history.

Coming back, it is said that the use of social media in elections was first done by Barack Obama in his 2008 election and in India by Narendra Modi in the 2014 election. The fundamental difference was that Obama used it positively to win the election, while Narendra Modi used it negatively to divide society by creating a rift between Hindus and Muslims, spreading false news, misrepresenting history, and defaming the heroes of independence, thereby filling the entire environment with poison.

From 2013 to 2021, this horse of hatred in the form of social media kept running. Even during the pandemic period of 2020-21, social media was used to spread all kinds of hatred, rumors, and animosity. Once again, very ordinary people took charge, who, with very limited resources, started fighting against this false and deceitful system. The result is history.

Even in that era, there were some fireflies who fought against the intense darkness and transformed into the sun with their indomitable courage. In this era too, there are some fireflies who fought against the pitch-black darkness and transformed into the sun.

Four years ago, when the journey of TCH began, there were no significant resources or great power behind it. What existed was just one man's stubbornness to speak the truth, his Himalayan-like determination, and his sense of duty towards the country. Today, as I wholeheartedly congratulate brother Ashok Pandey on the launch of TCN's website, I am fully confident that this four-year journey is about a firefly becoming the sun.

If it exists, it should be for everyone, this is our determination

On this one point, the battle with the world continues.

The time is heavy on those who fly

It's not about wings now, it's about courage.

Even as a drop, I fight the storm,

It's the ocean's responsibility to save me.

Pray that my courage remains intact

This one lamp is heavy on many storms.

Today, as we all gather on this auspicious occasion, several serious questions confront us. Are clouds of crisis hovering over Indian democracy? Is the mainstream media unable to fulfill its role? If we talk about the first question, it has become as clear as a mirror that the current regime has destroyed all democratic values in the past 12 years. All constitutional institutions have been enslaved. The situation worsened when this fire reached the Election Commission. Any healthy democracy has two foundations: the right to vote and fair elections. Both these rights are in serious danger.

Now the main point

Is the media unable to fulfill its role?

The question may arise, why so much expectation from the media?

For this answer, we have to go back to the 1830-40s when British politician Edmund Burke first referred to the media as the fourth estate. He emphasized that the gallery of journalists in the house is the most important. As modern democratic systems developed, the fourth estate also developed ideologically, and it was believed that alongside the three pillars of democracy—executive, judiciary, and legislature—this pillar stands as an informal watchdog.

The truth is that the media should act as a bridge between the public and the government, facilitate the free flow of information, and work as a vigilant watchdog against the abuse of power. True journalism means searching for facts with complete honesty, impartiality, and responsibility, investigating them, and presenting them to the public. The main objective is to provide citizens with accurate and authentic information so that they can play their role in society and democracy correctly. Contrary to this, what is happening in India today?

The mainstream media creates fake narratives for the government. It covers up their wrongdoings. It spreads lies. When the government starts getting trapped, it creates new discourses. It helps the government in increasing social discord.

There are thousands of examples of these misdeeds, but I present some important facts before you:

First example: Recently, when students were protesting at Jantar Mantar, the media initially did not show it, but when alternate media and people like Ashok Bhai started showing it, the government began to face embarrassment, and these people came to the government's rescue. Instead of showing the truth, they started defaming the students. Listen to a recent example of their baseness: Aman Chopra, who could not go from Noida to Delhi's Jantar Mantar, reached Ranchi, and the first information he broadcast was that biryani was coming from Junaid's place in Delhi, and food for children was coming from the temple here. As usual, the gentleman tried to change the entire discourse.

Second example: To justify Savarkar's apologies, these people brought a false apology letter of Jawaharlal Nehru. Thanks to Ashok Bhai, who strongly countered it.

It has become as clear as a mirror that the current media in India is engaged in destroying all the rules and principles created for itself. Expecting anything from them is meaningless, although they forget that

Those watching the burning house, the thatched roof is yours.

There is a strong wind behind you, your destiny is ahead.

I was silent on his murder, now it's my turn.

You are silent on my murder, the next turn is yours.

The latest example is Amish Devgan, who, despite all his loyalty, was sacrificed. Dictators are not anyone's. They only come as a cause of destruction. Unfortunately, those who had the responsibility of becoming the country's watchdogs have become servants of the dictator. But it is said that no matter how dark the night is, the morning surely comes.

I and the entire nation are grateful to people like Ashok Bhai, who have resolved to illuminate the path in these dark times, and believe me, it is this resolve of yours that has frightened the dictator.

The torches we have lit, the darkness is very agitated.

They are troubled by our courage, why are people raising flags?

Keep the torches burning

Keep raising the flags

Keep the struggle going

Jai Hind

Jai Bharat