Diksha Manjari Protests for R G Kar
Saurav Ganguly and Sana Ganguly joins students of Diksha Manjari on their impactful demonstration against the R.G. Kar Hospital incident.
Yesterday, like many others, I switched on what is often touted as a ‘leading’ news channel, hoping to catch up on the protests surrounding the recent incident at R.G. Kar Hospital. As I surfed through the channels, I stumbled upon India Today—a channel I shall not hesitate to name. They were covering a protest march by the sports fraternity, a momentous occasion that deserved thoughtful reporting. However, what I witnessed instead was nothing short of appalling. It was a stark reminder of how low the standards of journalism have sunk in some quarters.
Rather than focusing on the significance of the protest or the voices of those who were marching for justice, the reporter seemed far more preoccupied with why Sourav Ganguly, the former Indian cricket captain, had not joined the rally. This wasn’t journalism; it was a desperate attempt to stir controversy where none existed. The reporter went so far as to try and put words in the mouths of the protesters, seemingly trying to ignite a scandal. It was a disgraceful spectacle, the sort of thing that should make any self-respecting journalist hang their head in shame.
Now, let me clarify why Sourav Ganguly did not join that particular protest march. His absence was not due to a lack of solidarity, but rather because his wife, Dona Ganguly, and her dance institution, Diksha Manjari, were holding their own protest against the heinous incident. Diksha Manjari, a premier dance institute, organized a rally that wound its way through Behala Chowrasta and the surrounding areas. It was a powerful demonstration of unity, where candles were lit, and the poignant strains of Rabindranath Tagore’s “Aguner Parashmani Chhoaon Prane” filled the air. The students, despite heavy rains, marched on with unwavering spirits, chanting their own slogan: “Diksha Manjari Dichhe Daak, Tilottama Bichar Paak.”
Dona Ganguly’s message was clear and resolute: “We are united in our protest against rape. The culprits must be punished. We want all women to be safe. Fundamental thoughts in our society need to change for it to become a better and safer place. We have every right to work at night. We believe in equality.” This was where Sourav Ganguly and their daughter expressed their protest, standing alongside the students and their community.
It is deeply troubling that a channel like India Today would focus on the absence of one individual at a protest, rather than the larger issue at hand. The quote by Tom Stoppard springs to mind: “I still believe that if your aim is to change the world, journalism is a more immediate short-term weapon.” But this only works if journalism is wielded responsibly and with integrity.
To the so-called news channels that indulge in such cheap yellow journalism, I say this: Stop chasing controversy and start reporting the news that truly matters. The world needs journalism that informs, enlightens, and holds power to account—not the sort that panders to sensationalism at the expense of truth. Shame on you for losing sight of what journalism is meant to be.
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