PM Modi at 'Aap ki Adalat', lashes out at media but appreciates Rajat Sharma

New Delhi, Dec 3: Prime Minister Narendra Modi was on Dec 2 critical of media interviews where questions are asked with the apparent aim of getting answers that is sometimes "pre-decided".

"In interviews, this is our experience. We have to reply at every roundabout and nook and corner. In most of the interviews, the person asking questions has already decided on the answers. He will not let you go unless you give him the answer he wants. Once you have given the answer they want, they lose interest in you," Modi said.

The Prime Minister was addressing a gathering to mark 21 years of popular TV show 'Aap ki Adalat' hosted by senior journalist Rajat Sharma on India TV.

President Pranab Mukherjee was also present on the occasion. Appreciating the show, Modi said this is one place where the "accused" is not led into answering something pre-decided.

"It is not required to force people to answer the way you want," he said. Modi said the TV show and Sharma stood out in a country with more than 800 television channels and 10,000 newspapers because of the anchor's balance and proportion.

The Prime Minister said that many interviews end with some bitterness but not those conducted by Sharma. President Mukherjee also lauded the show, saying 125 crore Indians have appointed Sharma as their "public prosecutor".

"Please do not change your role," he said. BJP President Amit Shah, Union ministers Arun Jaitley, Venkaiah Naidu and Smriti Irani were among those present.

Former Union ministers and Congress leaders Kamal Nath, Sushilkumar Shinde and Salman Khurshid were also there and joined by celebrities from all walks of life including Bollywood famous Khan troika Aamir, Salman and Shah Rukh.

A host of dignitaries, including those who had been interviewed on the show in the last 21 years, were present on the occasion. Sharma said that 'Aap Ki Adalat' achieved huge success not because of his questions but due to the answers he got. Clippings of many of the old interviews were also shown.

PTI