New Delhi: Journalists have alleged government-level “discrimination” against and “step-motherly treatment” of a section of them who are linked to the Urdu media in connection with a Diwali function.

On October 13, the Directorate of Information and Publicity (DIP) of the Delhi government invited journalists from both print and electronic media for a special interaction with chief minister Rekha Gupta during an event at the Ashoka Hotel, which was part of the “Diwali Mangal Milan” programme.

Wishing everyone, the chief minister characterised this “meeting” as an opportunity for amicable dialogue with the media.

All ministers of the Delhi cabinet were in attendance at the event.

Reports from the Urdu media indicate that the BJP government in Delhi, in a departure from the practices of previous governments, did not extend invitations to any journalists from the Urdu media, including those who have been covering the Delhi government and the BJP for a long time.

This, many say, marks the first instance of an attempt at the government level to distance themselves from the Urdu media.

According to various reports, the invitation to attend the ceremony was deemed mandatory. It has also been reported that the invitation was sent through WhatsApp by DIP director Sushil Singh.

In light of the government's purported discrimination, journalists are condemning it as an act of “untouchability” and an anti-minority step, while also perceiving it as an effort to undermine Urdu and its speakers.

Aam Aadmi Party leader and former food and civil supplies minister Imran Hussain has accused the BJP of engaging in communal politics, asserting that “the step-motherly treatment of Urdu journalists will not be accepted”.

He further alleged that Uttar Pradesh chief minister Adityanath had previously made remarks against Urdu, and it now appears that chief minister Gupta aims to outdo him.

Numerous journalists, dissatisfied with the government's actions, have expressed their intention to formally address the issue with the Delhi government's Public Relations and Development Authority department. It is being asserted that whether this constitutes discrimination at the governmental level based on language or a conspiracy to divide the media, this is the first instance of “step-motherly” treatment meted out to journalists.

Sadiq Sherwani, a journalist and editor of the Urdu newspaper Hamara Samaj, who reported on this matter, told The Wire: “Even during the previous BJP administration in Delhi, the Urdu media was not subjected to such treatment. In fact, Madan Lal Khurana and Sushma Swaraj were regarded as Urdu-lovers in their era. However, the circumstances have changed now, and it is believed that the BJP engages in actions that bolster its appeasement politics.”

Sadiq was alluding to the first BJP government in Delhi in 1993.

He remarked: “While it is not solely the language of Muslims, the BJP aims to project the notion that it is the language of Muslims.”

Sadiq believes that this could also represent an effort to communicate a particular message in light of the Bihar elections. Indeed, the BJP has consistently asserted that it does not seek Muslim votes.

If Sadiq's remarks are considered in the context of the various get-togethers arranged by the Delhi government for Diwali, along with the importance and reverence of Chhath Puja in Bihar, such political manoeuvring cannot be easily ruled out.

However, citing his report, Sadiq, while engaging in a conversation with several journalists regarding this being a “human error” on the government's part, questions how it is possible that no journalist affiliated with the Urdu media received an invitation. If this were indeed an oversight, at least one journalist from a media organisation would have attended the event.

He further revealed that when he sought information regarding this issue from the government, they declined to provide a formal statement, stating that if something like this occurred, it was a “big mistake”.

Citing his government sources, he mentioned that they even inquired: “How could such a ‘mistake’ have happened despite the Urdu newspapers granting us ample coverage?”

He noted that many individuals within the BJP and the government are quietly questioning this matter, yet they are hesitant to make any public statements.

Meanwhile, in an interview with Hamaara Samaj, senior journalist Sanjay Goyal questioned why Urdu-speaking journalists were overlooked, despite Urdu being the second official language of Delhi.

Goyal told the newspaper: “This is quite unfortunate. During the first BJP administration in Delhi from 1993 to 1998 – when Madan Lal Khurana, Sahib Singh Verma and Sushma Swaraj served as chief ministers for brief periods – we saw that there was never any bias against Urdu, both at the governmental and party levels.”

According to the newspaper, a delegation of senior journalists is scheduled to meet with chief minister Gupta to register their objection to the government's treatment of Urdu journalists.

In a similar context, Farhan Yahya, a journalist from Hindustan Express, told The Wire: “I have been an accredited journalist since 2007, and prior to that, during the governments of Sheila Dikshit and Arvind Kejriwal, there was never any bias against journalists based on language, particularly during Diwali or other significant events.” This is the first instance where no Urdu journalist has received an invitation, he said.

He stated: “Urdu journalists are not saddened by their exclusion, but they are pained by the government's attempt to create a divide among journalists based on language.”

He further commented: “This division pertains more to language politics than to Hindu-Muslim politics.”

“Didn't the Urdu newspapers that have consistently provided them with space at every opportunity deserve this right?” he asked. 

According to Farhan, “very soon, journalists affiliated with the Urdu media will meet the lieutenant governor of Delhi regarding this issue.”

“We have discussed this matter at the Urdu Working Journalists Club, and discussions are also ongoing in our WhatsApp group. No previous government has disrupted this tradition. This is indeed regrettable,” he added.

Meanwhile, senior journalist and author Masoom Moradabadi said: “The government's stance towards Urdu mirrors its attitude towards Urdu journalists and newspapers. Thus, this does not come as a surprise to us.”

He added, “There is no room for Urdu in our current system. Even during the Aam Aadmi Party's government, Urdu newspapers received advertising, but that has now ceased. This government is operating according to its own agenda. Journalism transcends language; journalism is journalism. Therefore, this clearly reflects prejudice and narrow-mindedness, and in light of their agenda, it is not surprising.”

Hindustan Express news editor Shahid-ul-Islam also called this agenda-driven politics. “If the BJP government wants to divide journalists based on religion, I am not surprised at all.” The reason is evident: “the BJP seeks to view every issue through this lens,” he stated.

“This isn’t the first instance of such discrimination. Such actions persist under BJP rule, from the Union government down to the state,” he continued.

In the midst of these inquiries and concerns, chief minister Gupta was seen interacting with journalists at each table during the gathering on October 13. A report suggested that initially, journalists were prohibited from taking photographs with the chief minister, but after alleged objections, several journalists were able to pose with her.

Reports indicate that journalists also voiced their concerns to the chief minister during this meeting, with senior journalists highlighting the issue of the non-renewal of the DIP Accreditation Committee in Delhi.

However, in light of this alleged discrimination by the Delhi government against the Urdu media, the pressing question now is whether the Delhi government will provide any clarification to journalists regarding this issue and try to alleviate all their concerns and apprehensions.

Translated from the Hindi original by Naushin Rehman.

The Wire is now on WhatsApp. Follow our channel for sharp analysis and opinions on the latest developments.