[Reader-list] Complaint against Mid-Day coverage of TISS rape case

[Subuhi Jiwani]

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Subuhi Jiwani 
Date: 2009/4/23
Subject: In response to "TISS rape accused was the 'nicest guy' in school: Blog"
To: mailbag at mid-day.com


Dear Editor,

I
am writing in response to your article "TISS rape accused was the
'nicest guy' in school: Blog" which appeared on page 5 of your
newspaper on April 23, 2009. It seems immaterial whether Jaskaran
Bhullar, one of six the accused in a gang rape case, was the 'nicest
guy in school' or whether he 'respected women'. Such character
affirmations only tilt public opinion in the favour of the six accused.
This is especially so since the other accused in the case, Vinamra
Soni, whose 'good character' is also vouched for by the writer of the
blog, has publicly cast aspersions on the victim. 

Besides, why is so much space being given to the blog posts of
Tarush Agarwal, the best friend of the two accused mentioned above? Why
are his opinions being deemed newsworthy? Agarwal has also been quoted
as saying that Jaskaran and Vinamra "do regular guy-like things but at
the same time have a strong influence of Indian culture". It is clear
from this comment that Indian culture is supposed to imply good,
upright behavior and it is insinuated that those who are not Indian,
the victim in this case, may be loose, forward and not upright. I find
this kind of reporting terribly biased and one-sided and am shocked
that you would publish it. 

Subuhi Jiwani
Andheri