Govt intending to gag media on attacks in Australia, says BJP

New Delhi, Jan 10 (PTI) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
Sunday accused the government of "insensibility" over the
issue of attacks on Indians in Australia, saying this became
clear when the External Affairs Ministry asked media to
exercise restraint instead of finding a solution to the issue.
The party also accused the government of "intending to
gag" media by asking it to exercise restraint in the coverage
of the attacks in Australia and sought a categorical answer
from the Indian Government.
"The most worrisome issue is that the Ministry Of
External Affairs asks media to exercise restraint. We are
concerned that when things are getting worst day by day in
Australia, government is not accepting it and moreover
it is asking media to exercise restrain instead of finding a
solution," BJP spokesperson Rajiv Pratap Rudy said.
BJP also questioned the "diplomatic sway of India" and
wondered whether the Australian government considers India as
a "weak country". The main opposition party also sought to
know if the government does not have the diplomatic influence
to get the "racial" attacks stopped.
"This is itself a big contradiction and exposes the
government's insensibility. We are concerned about this," he
added.
Rudy alleged that the government was intending to blame
media for sensationalising the racial attacks on Indians in
Australia, saying the fact is that it is media which is
bringing the matter to light. PTI PKU