For Immediate Release

Racist language and bigotry displayed in the Article in Mail Today on January 28, 2008 has shocked people of North East India, the African community who are guests in our country, women, and Civil Society in general.

 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 demanded.

 February 3, 2008

Newly launched out Mail Today Tabloid has published a racist language and bigotry display in the article “Druglords Prey NE-Girls to Act as Peddlers” by Kumar Vikram in Mail Today on January 28, 2008 page 4. 

A letter is sent to the Editor, the Reporter, the Publisher and the Printer of Mail Today to make 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.

The letter is signed by Dr. John Dayal – Member of National Integration Council, the Founding Patron of North East Support Centre & Helpline (NESC&H) along with Ms. Lanshinglu Rongmei – President of NESC&H and Mr. Madhu Chandra – Spokes Person of NESC&H.

The printed news report says: "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."

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.

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".

Mr. Vikram has quoted DCP AS Cheema as saying "The association between the peddlers and the girls acting as middlemen is a recent one, something that we came to know during investigations". The concluding remark "And the person ringing the bell, in all probability, will be a Northeastern girl". We are also questioning the Delhi Police Commissioner if he supports the statement made by his ignorant subordinate officer who betrays a singular contempt for his countrymen who look different from him.

The tone of language used in the article in tabloid is not in consonance with the high standards set by India Today publishing house. It violates 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.

Above all, it hurts the human sentiments of entire peoples of this country, including working women which group also includes all the women journalists in your several publications.

The complainers request the Editor of Mail Today to publish the letter in its entirety on the front page of the next edition of the newspaper.

Nothing else will meet the ends of justice and the high standards of journalism set by your publishing group.

For enquiry and action, the copies of the letter were also given to Press Council of India chairman Justice G. N. Ray, Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting Shri 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.

North East Support Centre & Helpline (www.nehelpline.net) is combined initiative of various human rights activists, social workers, students, journalists and lawyers seeking to prevent harassment and abuses meted out to women, North East People and tribal communities of different states.

Release by

Sd/- 

 Mr. Madhu Chandra

Spokes Person

9868184939

Encl.

1.      Letter to Editor, Report, Publisher and Printer of Mail Today.

Copy of the article “Druglords Prey NE-Girls to Act as Peddlers” by Kumar Vikram in Mail Today on January 28, 2008 page 4

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