Hindustan Times ( HT) Irresponsible Journalism - The Delhi Gymkhana (DG) Club Elections

Hindustan Times ( HT) Irresponsible Journalism - The Delhi Gymkhana (DG) Club Elections
1. Ref Mr. Rahul Singh’s article in the Hindustan Times dated 18 Sep 2008 on the ensuing Elections in Delhi Gymkhana (DG) Club, New Delhi.
2. Much that we understand that Sensationalism is the Bread and Butter of the Print/ Audio/ TV journalists, but sinking to such lows as has been done in this case is a “New High”. For the writer to have communalized the issue between the Army and the IAF and HT to have published it is a classic case of Gutter Journalism or near abouts.
3. It requires low average intelligence to understand as to what had happened prior to the last year’s DG Club Elections, which is as follows -
· Anybody fulfilling the criterion laid in the DG Club rules has the right to stand for the Elections.
· Army or IAF or the Civil Services do not Sponsor Candidates; neither are they allowed to.
· As such, neither of them were Sponsored Candidates as it is being made out to be.
· Gen JJ stood as an individual. It was his right to stand for elections.
· Air Marshal Ahluwalia also stood as an individual which was his right.
· The understanding between Gen JJ Singh and Air Marshal Ahluwalia, brokered by some Senior Members was a retrograde step as it is evident now. The Elections should have taken place then.
· The understanding between the two was, “you withdraw now and let me stand; I will resign after a year; you then stand; I will use my influence to see that you get elected unopposed; lets smoke the Peace Pipe; the Institution be Damned”.
· This is what JJ, Ahluwalia and some so called respected Senior Members did. They deserve the worst form of Censure.
· I can assure you, that they are weakening the fibre of DG Club. In any case, who are these people to broker such like deals? These deals have no sanctity at all.
· And now Air Marshal Ahluwalia and Lt Gen Rajender Singh want to fight it out. Good. Let there be Elections.
· Lt Gen Rajender Singh is absolutely right. The so called deal of the Sikh Warriors has no sanctity as far as the Members of the Club are concerned.
4. The article in Question lacks facts in the sense that it no way reflects the opinion of the Members. Also, by painting it as a WAR between the Army and the Air Force is pathetic on the part of Mr. Rahul and HT to say the least.
5. Maybe both of them are doing disservice of sorts to Army and the IAF by such irresponsible articles. It is bound to erode the standing of these two very illustrious arms of the Indian Defence Forces in the eyes of the General Public.
6. Just because Hindustan Times (HT) is a Pan India newspaper, has a reputed platform for reaching whole lot of Indians when they are having their first Cup of Tea and have no accountability what-so-ever to anybody but to your Coy’s Cash Coffers does not mean that they give fillip to such low Brand of Journalism.
7. Constructive Criticism of the Defence Forces would be more than welcome by anybody including the Defence Services Officer Community. Sensationalism may not be the Best way to boost the News Papers Sales.
8. I suppose, the news-paper too has Corporate Social Responsibility. They must practice what you preach. In any case, what else to expect from Hindustan Times ( HT) , which, for small time revenue, lets their paper be used for advertisements soliciting Clients for Prostitution.
Pratima Gupta