Dimapur, February 3 (MExN): The New Delhi based North East Support Centre & Helpline has come out with a scathing attack on a news feature carried in the recently launched “Mail Today” and described the article as using “racist language” and that it was “bigotry”, which had shocked people of North East India, the African community who are guests in the country, women, and Civil Society in general. A press note issued by the NE Support Centre informed that the newly launched Mail Today Tabloid had published an article “Druglords Prey NE-Girls to Act as Peddlers” on its January 28, 2008 issue. According to the press note from the NE Support Centre, the news report in question states that: “The next time a cocaine addict in Delhi orders for a fix, it’s unlikely that an African man will be standing at the door. Instead, it’ll probably be a young, trendy Northeast Indian girl. And for a few extra thousands, she’ll put sex on offer as well.”
In this regard, the NE Support Centre stated that a letter had been sent to the Editor, Reporter and Publisher of Mail Today to make an unconditional apology to all Indians in general and in particular women, the people of the North Eastern communities and African nationalities living in Delhi and NCR. “Failing to make the unconditional apology, the complainers have all reserve to approach Press Council of India and Diplomats of African Nations”, stated the letter signed by Dr. John Dayal – Member of National Integration Council, the Founding Patron of North East Support Centre & Helpline (NESC&H) along with Lanshinglu Rongmei – President of NESC&H and Madhu Chandra – Spokes Person of NESC&H.
The reporter either in malice or in bigotry terms Africans are as drug peddlers and North East girls are described as a “combo pack of drug and sex”. “Would the honorable Editor say this is civilized language? Does he support such calumny?” says the letter and added that the people of the North Eastern communities are known for their honesty and simplicity of life. “Their daughters come to cities such as Delhi to help their parents eke out a living by working in the cities commercial establishments. And yet they are described as earning “extra income of Rs 25,000 to 50,000 by combo pack of drug and sex”, the letter stated.
The letter also pointed out that the tone of language used in the article was not in consonance with the high standards set by India Today publishing house and that it violated the Code of Ethics of the Editors Guild of India. It is also violating the Indian Penal Code by spreading calumny against communities and sowing seeds of distrust and enmity, hostility and distrust between communities, which can have dangerous consequences, it stated.
The NE Support Centre also informed that for necessary enquiry and action, the copies of the letter were sent to Press Council of India chairman Justice G. N. Ray, Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting Priya Ranjan Dasmunshi, National Commission for Women chairperson Girija Vyas, High Commissions of African Nations, Honorable North East India Members of Parliaments, Governors and Chief Ministers of North East India states.
.jpg)
