Congress dubs Arvind Kejriwal's anti-media circular as undemocratic

Welcoming the Supreme Court's decision to stay Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's circular against the media over the publication of 'defamatory' news against his government, the Congress on Thursday said the notice was undemocratic, as it wanted to restrain common citizens, politicians and leaders from making comments.

"We would like to welcome the Supreme Court's order. It is heartening to know that the Supreme Court also has understood that the freedom of speech, freedom of expression is very important and what Kejriwal through this circular wanted to do, was not only gag the media but gag common citizens, politicians, leaders and it was undemocratic," Delhi Congress chief Ajay Maken told ANI.

The apex court also questioned Kejriwal's stand on the issue and has given him six weeks time to respond.

On Saturday, Kejriwal had urged officials working with the Delhi Government to lodge complaints against 'defamatory' news items which 'damage the reputation' of the government with the Principal Secretary of the home department.