Modi Govt Has Normalised Defending Criminals, but Media Doesn’t Care
From Pahlu Khan to Lakhimpur, right-wing media has directed its ire only at the victims & the opposition.
Incidents like Lakhimpur Kheri bring with them a test. There is a test for the prose of governments and the poetry of the opposition; there’s a test for the sharpness of the media and deftness of the judiciary. Such incidents either expose the weaknesses in the various arms and limbs of democracy or strengthen the body politic.
Under the Modi regime, new templates are being created of not just how to completely turn a blind eye towards wrongdoing, but also how to demonise the victim and those who sympathise with the victim.
This started with Pahlu Khan and Akhlaq — the two victims of mob lynching. A large section of mainstream media was made to indulge in the most brazen whataboutery. One argument on Akhlaq offered by regime apologists was, “but, law and order is a state subject” (Akhlaq was lynched in Dadri Bisada, Uttar Pradesh, where Akhilesh Yadav was the Chief Minister).