INTOLERANCE TO DISSENT DESPICABLE

This refers to your editorial ‘Many cases are still hanging fire’ that appeared on September 7. I question this constantly rising intolerance to dissent in our country. Journalist-activist Gauri Lankesh’s murder is suggestive of assault on the freedom of speech. Several accused are roaming free in similar cases. American crime writer Sara Paretsky said in an essay that those who want to silence dissent are trying to force people into making the reverse journey from speech to silence. Lal Singh I am not Gauri Lankesh’s fan, nor have I read any of her articles. I only know that she was a senior journalist and was brutally shot dead in Bangaluru for her writings, which were not in line with the ideology of her adversaries. Basic courtesy demands that one should pay tributes to the departed soul, even if he/she had different views than ours. However, it is alarming to see the reaction of some on the social media. Trolls are not only abandoning public decency but are also maligning her image. In the past, the government has taken action against such trolls, why can’t it take a similar action in this case?

Niranjan Walia, Jalandhar Standards of journalism are falling constantly. Journalists should be working to build bridges between people but they are today the cause of many problems. It appears that they have forgotten their responsibilities. Many news channels are spreading false propaganda today. Following Gauri Lankesh’s murder, channels are in a race to gain cheap publicity. This is shameful. Amit Kumar, Amritsar