Senior NDTV journalist, Ravish Kumar in an open letter criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for following people who use abusive and threatening language openly on social media.
Mentioning how he was threatened using choicest abuses after being added to a WhatsApp group, Ravish in his blog post 'Naisadak' has also mentioned an expose done by Altnews.in which reveals some of the social media users who have PM Modi as one of their followers.
The Wire has published the loosely translated letter which the senior journalist has sent by post as well to the PM. Here are a few excerpts from the letter:
The intention of this letter is limited. It is well known to everyone now that linguistic decency has reached its lowest on social media platforms. This is being done by members of an organisation under your leadership, your supporters as well as opposition. The number of such people is increasing day by day.
It is possible that these people might be taking advantage of your faith and use such language. Since you are prime minister, it is your duty to look into the matter. I understand your busy schedule, but your team can make sure that you don’t follow such people on Twitter. These people are hurting your dignity. The Indian masses have given you immense love and if something fell short, you can always ask them, they will be happy to give it to you, but it does not adorn that the prime minister of India should follow such people who abuses any citizen of India, talk communally about the minority community and express sorrow about the critics.
Since you are prime minister, it is your duty to look into the matter. I understand your busy schedule, but your team can make sure that you don’t follow such people on Twitter. These people are hurting your dignity. The Indian masses have given you immense love and if something fell short, you can always ask them, they will be happy to give it to you, but it does not adorn that the prime minister of India should follow such people who abuses any citizen of India, talk communally about the minority community and express sorrow about the critics.
I am really very frightened. Mr. Prime Minister, if I read the derogatory language used in this WhatsApp group about me and few other journalists, many people will close their ears. The language used about women journalists is really shameful.
The crowd which is created by politics on social media platforms and roads, will become a challenge for society especially women. Their language is anti-women. They are so communal that you won’t even tolerate them. Anyway, you want to eradicate communalism from India by 2022. Your speech on August 15 also didn’t have any effect on them and they have been abusing me till recently.
I also feel bad and sorry about the foul language used for you on the social media platforms. But here the case if about the people from your side, who are threatening a journalist like me. Whenever I tried to leave the WhatsApp group, people in the group used to say that catch him, he is running away, beat him and again add me into the group. I can’t share the sample of their language over here because I know I am writing a letter to the prime minister of India. It is my obligation and duty to regard you even in my strongest criticism.