Two days after Nationalist Congress Party leader Sharad Pawar refused to speak to news channels after a function in Pune, saying the electronic media was defaming Maharashtra, the Shiv Sena, too, has warned them of a “fitting response” to protect the image of the state.
In a hard-hitting editorial — If mud slinging goes on, we shall teach you a lesson — in party mouthpiece Saamna, the Sena said: "Pawar has responded in a civilized manner and condemned the entire incident, but we will take stern action. If this tirade against Maharashtra continues, we will be forced to take concrete measures in the interest of the state.” Verbal lashing by Pawar to "these elements may not suffice and, if required, they we would deal with them in our language for defaming Maharashtra".
“Hindi news channels were giving the impression to the world that non-Marathi people in Maharashtra were not able to lead a normal life and Maharashtrians were being projected as uncivilised and violent community on the basis of isolated incidents," the editorial said.
Accusing Hindi news channels of biased reporting, it added: “Coverage on channels reflected that they were partial and those handling the electronic media were not aware of the state’s history and culture. When there were attacks in Manipur, the Hindi channels did not utter a word. States like Bihar and Uttar Pradesh have been known for violence and chaos, but when a small incident occurs in Maharashtra, it is being projected as anarchy.”
{{/usCountry}}Accusing Hindi news channels of biased reporting, it added: “Coverage on channels reflected that they were partial and those handling the electronic media were not aware of the state’s history and culture. When there were attacks in Manipur, the Hindi channels did not utter a word. States like Bihar and Uttar Pradesh have been known for violence and chaos, but when a small incident occurs in Maharashtra, it is being projected as anarchy.”
{{/usCountry}}