An Open Letter to the Media after Gauri Lankesh’s death

Gauri Lankesh wished for transparency, fought for the truth and peace

05/09/17, a disastrous day for one of our journalist friends’, a shameful day for the whole of India. A cold blooded murder is something all of us should be concerned about. We as citizens’ deserve to know who the culprits are, to know what led to Gauri Lankesh’s death. Meantime, we can pray that Gauriji rests in peace.

Having hardly known Gauri ji, I was eager to know her in detail. I came to office with a set of questions in mind. Having already seen few twitter profiles creating a narrative about the death; knowing her became more imperative.

Can’t there be people who are unbiased? Can we just be simply human beings first?

Leftist, right wing, center– who are you? Aren’t you one yet? Yes, I bat as a left hander, write with the right hand and the bowl with the left hand. Can’t there be people who are unbiased? Does ideology hold such importance when the country is mourning a journalists’ death? Can we just be simply human beings first? Firstly, I never really follow politics much. Over the years of following it; especially post my graduation days I have realized that it is no brainer to take the politicians seriously. Politicians will do what they like, and what suits them.
So not really supporting one particular ideology, it was hurtful nevertheless reading the tweets of people reacting to the murder of Gauriji. Yes, being an employee for a private company I believe everyone should get an opportunity to earn money, earn food, but I do not know how that classifies me.

Too many people seem to have a narrative, liked to be judgmental, and chose to be left, right or even extreme.

A few months back, I followed Gurmehar Kaur incident on social media (twitter and FB), yes, on social media and not in Delhi, I do not know why a certain section of the mainstream media and social media feel politics and news take place only in Delhi. And yes, I do not know why people from the mainstream media and social media focus so much on JNU too. Now, coming to Gauri Ji’s demise; the striking resemblance of both the incidents was, too many people seem to have a narrative, liked to be judgmental, and chose to be left, right or even extreme. I do not know why certain section of people decide to abuse, why certain section of people try to avoid questions when asked in a right way, why so much hatred amongst each other, why create a hashtag and narrate your own selective story when the person who has suffered is more concerned about expressing the truth, about freedom of expression, about spreading peace.
Astonishing were the reactions of many journalists; yes, the profiles of the younger group of people where they resort to a few extreme ideologist abuse and act rude, that is indeed sad and deplorable, such people do not know how to put across their point and need to be dealt the legal way. That doesn’t give them the authority to act as supreme judge, or as an investigating agency. Further, the same learned people have become selective; they choose the topics which suit them.

As the left, right fight; people who have malicious intentions are laughing away!

Everyone has a say, everyone has an opinion, but once you decide that you do not like someone or once you decide not to hear others, once you decide not to wait, once you decide to go by hate, the more you reach to a point where you want to hear no other voice except your own; then you are talking for your convenience. Speaking of convenience is easy, but many people like us look up to these journalists. Our learned people need to fight for the right, but in a manner where others can learn, which gives people like us an idea about what exactly is the truth. People need to talk to others. Ideologies are important, yes, you carry that while you work, But, some of us sense all this, we are people who are right thinking, peace loving and non-selective in a discussion on topics, do not wish for double standards, do not wish for flashy headlines be it left, right or centre. Narrative based on the ideologies and fewer facts is not new in Indian politics, but that is not expected from today’s journalists. We deserve unbiased, non-flashy, non-abusive real views without having an ideology or political/financial interest.

Yes, as the left, right fight; people who have malicious intentions are laughing away! Remember, this is our home, we all are one, and we are here working for the betterment of this country. Also, remember Gurmehar or Gauri ji wished for transparency, fought for the truth and peace.

Note:
1. The views expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of PGurus.