Facing flak for his "steal a little" remark, senior Samajwadi Party minister Shivpal Yadav on Tuesday threatened to get arrested journalists who were blowing his statements out of proportion. The minister's threat has left the mediapersons angry who termed it as a direct attack on the freedom of press.
However those defending the minister said the media was quoting Shivpal's reactions out of context.
The incident occurred in Etah on Tuesday when Shivpal Yadav came out from a meeting on the development schemes being carried out in the district. As the minister stepped out of the meeting hall, some reporters sought his comments on the meeting.
An uncomfortable Shivpal then told officials accompanying him to confirm from the information officer if the media had been invited for the briefing.
When the reporters told him there was no such invitation, the said, "Pehle to tum log bina bulaye aa jaate ho aur phir baat ka batangar bana dete ho (First you come uninvited and then make a mountain of a mole hill)." Responding to it, a TV journalist quipped: "Kuch to bol dijiye, us batangar ke bare mein hi sahi humko kuch to dikhana hai" (Say something at least, we have to show something).
Pointing towards the microphones, Shivpal said: "Yeh mat lagaya karo, Jab bulaya Karen tab aaya karo ... yeh mat lagao karo warna band kara doonga". (Don't shove this ... come only when you are invited ... don't shove this otherwise I'll get you arrested).
Shivpal's open threat to the media can invite action under Section 506 of the Indian Penal Code which deals with threat and the fundamental right of speech and expression which provides space to the media as well.
The minister came under severe criticism recently when he told officials that they could steal a little if they performed their duties well.
The statement had left the Samajwadi Party embarrassed and a fluttered Shivpal had blamed the media for quoting him out of context.