While the Congress party called the diktat as 'virtual censorship', the Bharatiya Janata Party went ahead and said that Kejriwal wants to create a political environment resembling the 1975 emergency period.
Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday came under sharp attack from opposition parties for a controversial circular issued by AAP government which threatened media houses with action for publishing 'defamatory news'.
The order issued on May 6, has directed the administration to bring in notice any "instances of defamatory imputations" against the Delhi CM, city ministers and other functionaries of the government – either spoken, or intended to be read, or by signs or visible representation
While the Congress party called the diktat as 'virtual censorship', the Bharatiya Janata Party went ahead and said that Kejriwal wants to create a political environment resembling the 1975 emergency period.
According to the circular issued by the directorate of information and publicity department, if any official associated with the Delhi government feels that the published or aired news item damages his/her or the government's reputation, he should file a complaint with the principal secretary (Home), so that further action can be taken.
"The reference letter made to the principal secretary (Home) shall contain the details of the defamatory imputation made/published, the mode of publication, factual inaccuracies in the imputation, details of allegations made and grounds for believing that it will harm the reputation of the person against whom the imputation has been made.
"Principal secretary (Home) will then examine the matter and will also seek the opinion of the director (prosecution) as to whether the prosecution under section 499/500 of the IPC is to be launched," the circular read.
Calling the latest move by AAP government as appalling DPCC chief spokesperson Sharmistha Mukherjee said that the diktats will not only limit to media. She added, "The diktat goes against our very constitution which guarantees right to express freely. AAP by such moves shows to what extent can they go to if someone dares to write against them."
"The diktat reminds me of the emergency period. Kejriwal cannot act like a dictator and force the media into submitting to his authority," said Vijender Gupta, BJP's national executive member.
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