Chandrashekhar the Great
THE PRIME MINISTER (SHRI CHANDRA SHEKHAR) : Mr. Speaker, Sir, I
would have heard to the problems of the tribals but the hon. Speaker of
South Korea is waiting for me for the last half an hour. Please excuse me.
THE PRIME MINISTER (SHRI CHANDRA SHEKHAR) : Before making a
statement on SAARC summit I would like to point out only one thing
regarding the freedom of Press a point raised by hon. Dandavateji,
Gujaralji and Narasingh Raoji, Shri Bhajan Lal and Shri Santosh Mohan
Dev also raised it without embroiling myself into the controversy, that
any attack on the freedom of Press is unfortunate and a matter of shame
for us. Freedom of Press should always be protected. I would not go into
allegations and counter allegations. Some hon. Members pointed to an
incident which occurred recently. I would get the information from the
Haryana Government and I assure the House that we would take all
possible steps to protect the freedom of Press. If the House wants to
discuss it and if you allow it Mr. Speaker, Sir, I think we should discuss it
in detail because this is a basic issue and there should be no clarity on
the part of the Government. Have I would like to point out.
....(Interruptions)
SHRI CHANDRA SHEKHAR : In the last two months, at least I am not
aware if I have made a complaint against any Press reporter or Editor. I
have never bothered who writes in favour of the Government or against
it : That is their lookout. They may do whatever they want. I believe that
there should be no apprehensions about the freedom of Press and I
assure the House that nothing will be done to create such an
apprehension.