Advocates and policemen are from the two strong pillars of democracy. These institutions should ideally work together in harmony, however, this generally doesn’t happen.
A few days back we witnessed violent clashes between policemen and advocates inside the Tis Hazari District Court of Delhi. The fight started on a petty issue of parking which later escalated into incidents of violence. An advocate was also injured by a gunshot.
Let us discuss the role played by the electronic media in reporting this matter.
Bias in Ground Reporting
Being a law student, I kept a keen eye on the events in this matter and I must say that I was disappointed when prominent news channels failed to cover the matter responsibly.
While the media-persons were reporting the incident, bias was evident in their statements. When, what happened and who did what wasn’t known, the statements of media-persons like ‘at various instances, it is seen that lawyers work with an iron fist‘, indicated their bias and thus, police officials were given leverage.
It is important to note that harsh phrases like “lawless lawyers” and “Law v Order” were used against lawyers during reporting. Media also ignored the fact that policemen were armed while lawyers weren’t.
Bias in Reporting the Saket Incident
In the reporting of the latest incident where a police officer was beaten by advocates in the Saket District Court, bias is visible. Being a student of law, I condemn the incident and the same has been done by the Bar Council of India as well.
This incident shouldn’t be seen as a precedent, however, media houses are using it as a means to color the entire incident that happened in the Tis Hazari Court as an impulsive action on the part of advocates, without talking about the inhuman behaviour of the policemen.
Waiver of Rights
Advocates are those who deal with the legal provisions on a day-to-day basis and are well-aware of their legal and constitutional rights.
Advocates are exposed to greater risk. This is the reason why Advocates’ Protection Act was implemented in Madhya Pradesh.
Knowing the possible risks, advocates do not compromise on their rights. What may come across as a futile argument to a layman may happen to be a legitimate demand for a right in the eyes of law. When a person aware of his rights doesn’t fight for them, it amounts to waiver and non-waiver of a legitimate right cannot be termed as a wrong.
Strike by Policemen
Policemen have been vested with powers to protect and safeguard the citizens. When Delhi is under threat of anti-social activities and public transport is overburdened due to the odd-even scheme, can we call the strike initiated by policemen legitimate?
No.
However, media is hailing policemen and supporting their strike.
There are two sides to every story.
Media should not stand in support of one without paying heed to the arguments of another, that too when they are required to state facts neutrally for the public to decide right and wrong.
Image Source: Advocates at Tis Hazari Court, Google Images
Sources: India Today, India Today, NDTV
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