There's no room for intolerance in democracy.Unfortunately, the present govt in our state is too intolerant.It can't stand criticism at all.It's so much so that it's instructed the govt and govt aided libraries to keep eight selected dailies only for public reading.Incidentally, these chosen papers blindly support every move of the govt irrespective of its merit. On the other hand, the leading and the most widely circulated dailies those have incurred the displeasure of the govt and hence are denied entry to these libraries criticise govt activities in no uncertain terms whenever needed.But govt want press to be docile and sycophant.It'd eulogise the ruling party in every issue.
In fact, the press that blindly endorses whatever govt do does more harm than good and govt is misled as a result.Press should act as the watch dog and mince no words in criticising the wrong policies of the govt.On the other hand, press would not fall short of lauding and encouraging the govt either when it do good job.In fact,all authoritarian rulers consider even the constructive criticism of press as hostility and try to gag its voice.It's no wonder Mamata Banerjee with her full dictatorial temperament would do the same.However,such activities of the govt would certainly send wrong signal to people and adversely affect its support base.
Interestingly, people normally go to public libraries to read most of the papers those have been banned .If these leading papers are not available the readership of dailies in public libraries is likely to drastically fall.That apart,the major and national dailies are preserved in library archives for reference reading in future particularly by researchers.If the entry of these dailies are prohibited , how could they be preserved in archives?That apart,govt can't dictate as to what to read and what not to.It's as good as infringement of fundamental right.
In fine, the govt is requested. to rescind the order immediately in public interest as well as for its own good.
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