Ratheesh Kaliyadan
India deported David Barsamian, an US radio journalist and founder of Alternative Radio. He was was deported on arrival from Indira Gandhi International Airport,New Delhi in the early hours of Sept 23,2011. He arrived in Delhi sometime after midnight, and his being “put back” on a flight at 3am. Why did the airport authority took such a quick decision? Is he a criminal? Or did he do any harm to the nation? Such questions are raised in the minds of the people who were happened to know the happenings.
According to news agencies, "he was found to have allegedly violated visa norms during his previous visit to the country".Sources said Barsamian had reported on events in Jammu and Kashmir during his last visit to India and these reports were found to be "not based on facts". They alleged that he violated his Visa norms during his visit in 2009-10 by indulging in professional work while holding a tourist visa. He was thereafter put on a watchlist by the immigration authorities in order to prevent his entry when he visits the country again. Sources said Barsamian during his visit to Kashmir Valley had interactions with separatist leaders and also reported on the situation in the Kashmir valley. Barsamian is reported to have travelled extensively in connection with his work( PTI 07:09 PM,Sep 23,2011).
David has been visiting India almost every year since the early 1970s. He did a series of interviews with locals and activists in Kasmir.In an exclusive interview to Greater Kashmir Barsamian said the consciousness of Kashmiris had shifted after 2008. “I observe that people especially the youth of Kashmir are more confident and politically conscious as compared to my past visits in 1996 and 2007. They are now using the non-violent means to press for their political demands. It’s the most effective form to fight for your rights,”
He said the gains in 2010 should be sustained by concerted efforts in the future. “There has to be historical understanding, sustained process, dedication and organization among people who are at work,”
Barsamian said. “There have been instances where struggles have been defused by weakening the different sections of the society. Like the infighting among the groups. This ultimately benefits the power”.
David Barsamian launched staunch criticisms against Indian media who hides the Kashmiri realities in Human Right violations by different agencies. Deportation Barsamian is not an alienated incident in India. We have long years' history in deportation begins from the first newspaper itself. The pre-independent Indian rulers tortured and deported several journalists to protect the East India Company's interests. But the post-independent India also proved we are not far away from the previous rulers.Less than a year ago, American academic Richard Shapiard upon arrival from the Indira Gandhi International airport. His crime, presumably, was an article on two on the human rights situation in Kashmir. Earlier this month, the journalist David Devadas was assaulted by the Jammu and Kashmir police.
It is true that for India, Jammu&Kasmir issues are too hot. It is a prestigious part of our nation. Nobody will support if anybody raise voice against Indian interest in the issue. At the sametime, the humanright issues should be noted and remedials are needed.To protect them, deportation of journalists are not the real way.
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