VIJAYA KARNATAKA

Report on Godhra incident which was a banner lead, asserted in its intro that 57 Ramsevaks were burnt alive. In the very next para it also stated, among the dead 25 women and 15 children were also included.  On that very day it also carried an editorial condemning  the incident. The editorial urged to find speedy solution  to Ayodhya controversy. It warned that if the violence erupts, it would be difficult to contain.

VK carried pictures of burning vehicles. Political  leaders delegation meeting president in the wake of Gujarat violence were carried on page 1.The VHP sponsored "Bharat Bandh' which drew mixed response  was given promoting heading such as ":Bandh partially successful'. The editorial on that day said , as  Ramsevaks were burnt alive in Godhra, large scale  violence erupted in retaliation and it may spread to other places. It also just mentioned in its editorial that a  horrible incident took place in which 30 people were burnt alive including a congress MP and his 19 family members. Again it stressed that these incidents show  that Ayodhya dispute should be sorted out speedily.

 It also commented, communal issue erupted due to the delicate Ayodya issue and it is not easy to contain it. It  also asked both communities to discuss with Government and control violence. Otherwise, it warned  if both start taking revenge there would be the possibility of unimaginable losses.

Vijaya Karnataka covered regular news items of  protests, statements and other related stories of
Gujarat Violence widely in its page1 and inside pages. The announcement of BJP to celebrate anti terrorist  day on March 9 got page1 treatment. The report, a  press statement made by Jana Krishnamurthy said that  the BJP leaders would convince people on what kind of  negative consequences would occur due to the people  who co operate with anti-India activities of ISI. He also  defended Modi Government telling that he is managing  a very difficult situation which no other Government would have managed.

"Vijaya Karnataka" wrote an editorial on PM's comments that Gujarat violence was a blot on nation's  dignity. Here also it opined that as Ayodhya is a delicate issue and as national, state Government knew that VHP would take hard stance, it should have taken proper precautionary measures. It warned in the end, with "Gujarat burnt," care should be taken not to allow the whole nation to burn.

 "Vijaya Karnataka" carried a bit in page 1 just with a single headline SHAHANAVAZ APASWARA. The story has editorialising intro stating that though hundreds of  innocents were dying in communal clashes in Gujarat, the central Minister of Civil Aviation has spit fire.

In the next para the report said the minister asked the PM to take harsh measures to build confidence among  people and said that police made delay in containing communal clashes. It also highlighted Littérateur U.R.  Anantha Murthy's letter to president and Pejavar Shri to intervene to stop Gujarat carnage.

 The migration of families in Gujarat, Puri Akandalamani temple becoming venue for the marriage of Azad and Naseema to which about 500 people belonging to different religion attended was highlighted. There was one small report which talked about Godhra - Karachi  relation. The report said the local people of Godhra had social relations with Karachi and an inquiry had been ordered to look into this aspect quoting police sources. It also said that many people travel between Godhra - Karachi by using fake passport.

VK carried a report along with Modi' s picture stating  "Modi: avarige 'hero', ivarige 'villain'. (Modi, hero to them, villain to these). The report said even though  public opinion and opposition parties view Modi as  "Khalnayak', the ruling party is not worried. It quoted  some political leaders saying that thanks to Modi, that  BJP was now able to unite all dalit, tribals and Middle  class Hindus.

One more editorial (13th March) defended Modi saying that since last 4 years there were no communal clashes in Gujarat. It argued that to agree to opposition  allegation that Modi Government followed delayed tactics in controlling clashes, one has to provide proof. It also opined that the demand made by opposition in  parliament for Advani and Modi's resignation is a hurried step. It also covered local protest march by BJP  activists along with picture in inside page (March 10).