MP claims media reports on Murthal rape 'false', seeks action

New Delhi, Mar 9: A demand for stern action against some newspapers and TV channels for publishing "false" reports of rapes at Murthal during the recent Jat agitation in Haryana was made in the Lok Sabha today.

Raising the issue during Zero Hour, Dushyant Chautala (INLD) asked the government to take suo motu cognisance of the reports carried by certain newspapers and TV channels and take action. Noting that media is considered the fourth pillar of democracy, he regretted that a section of the media was now resorting to "tampered" videos to spread false information.

Expelled RJD member Rajesh Ranjan alias Pappu Yadav lamented the way social media was seeking to divert national discourse by giving a slant through its version and or ideology and said it was a matter of serious concern.

This was seen in the Murthal case, as also in the suicide of Rohith Vemula and the incidents in JNU, he said. Raising another issue, K C Venugopal (Congress) drew the government's attention to an attack on a church in Raipur in BJP-ruled Chhattisgarh.

Venugopal said the matter was serious as the attack took place when prayers were being offered at the church. However, BJP members from Chhattsigsarh said the government had taken immediate steps and arrested the culprits.

PTI