Press freedom vital, but no compromise on national security : Jaitley
New Delhi, Mar 7 (UNI) Amid criticism from journalist bodies and also political opponents, the government on Thursday asserted that while freedom of press ought to be upheld there cannot be any compromise on matters concerning national security or defence deals like on Rafale.
".............even the framers of the Constitution have said that the national security is an exception and that has never been challenged in the 72 years (since Independence)," Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley told reporters here.
Answering questions at a post-cabinet media briefing, Mr Jaitley, often considered the NDA regime's chief spokesman, said there is certainly "a very free press in India" but it is also a fact that with regard Rafale row ''It is obvious that the Defence notings of a sensitive interest to the country have been leaked out".
The remarks come a day after Attorney General K K Venugopal told the Supreme Court that vital Rafale related documents have been stolen.
In fact, there were hints that the government could prosecute a leading media house for publishing papers/documents those were 'confidential' in nature and were related to national security and the Ministry of Defence.
Answering questions, Mr Jaitley, however said - ''What goes in the Court, let's leave it for the Court to decide".
Mr Jaitley's remarks also came in the wake of the strong demand for a ''criminal investigation'' against Prime Minister Narendra Modi made by Congress president Rahul Gandhi.
Mr Gandhi also said a particular media house was being hounded in the name of Official Secrets Act because "you are being brave and standing against Prime Minister".
CPI-M general secretary Sitaram Yechury tweeted - "Today's proceedings in the Supreme Court clearly tell us that there was huge corruption in Rafale deal and Modi govt is scrambling hard to somehow bury it by threatening journalists".
BSP chief Mayawati also tweeted saying: "The Modi Govt made a sensational disclosure in the Hon'ble Supreme Court that secret documents pertaining to Rafale fighter deal were stolen from the Defence Ministry. Very strange & irresponsible chowkidari. Is national security & interest in the safe hands?"
Addressing an early morning press conference, Mr Gandhi said - "Why there was parallel negotiation.....It is a blatant case of corruption. Why should there be no criminal investigation".
Mr Jaitley maintained that the latest development in the Supreme Court on the high profile Rafale issue is like ''the petitioners are taking one more chance'' while the CAG has also made its analysis on the subject.
Taking exception to Mr Gandhi's repeated outburst against the Prime Minister, Mr Jaitley said, '' No dynast can claim that he is above the Supreme Court or the CAG and that those findings and verdict do not apply.''
He said, ''Today's comments by Rahul Gandhi, I am told words were few and the facts were completely wrong and the motivation was also collateral.''
Mr Jaitley said the Congress strategy to rake up Rafale issue at this juncture was also to divert national attention from the fact that some Congress leaders had put the party into big embarrassment for their comments on Pulwama terror attack and the subsequent developments.
'' The Congress party in last few days through statements of their senior leaders have boxed themselves into a corner. They are getting high TRP in Pakistan but there is a revulsion as far as domestic opinion in India is concerned,'' the Finance Minister said.
Another BJP leader and Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad also said - "Will Rahul Gandhi need a certificate about Rafale from Pakistan. In that we cannot help".
During the day, in a joint statement Press Club of India and Indian Women's Press Corps Press Association expressed deep concern at the statements made by the Attorney General "insinuating that reports on the Rafale deal published in a leading newspaper" were based on documents stolen from the Ministry of Defence.
''The Fourth Estate is bound by its dual responsibility of reporting what is in public interest as well as raising questions, irrespective of the government in power, which is part of its moral responsibility," the statement said.
New Delhi, Mar 7 (UNI) On the face of scathing criticism from Congress against Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Rafale row, the BJP on Thursday stepped up attack on the grand old party saying there is already "revulsion" against Rahul Gandhi's party.
"The Congress party in last few days through statements of their senior leaders have boxed themselves into a corner. They are getting high TRP in Pakistan but there is a revulsion as far as domestic opinion in India is concerned,'' Finance Minister Arun Jaitley told reporters here.
Mr Jaitley said the Congress strategy to rake up Rafale issue at this juncture was also to divert national attention from the fact that some Congress leaders had put the party into big embarrassment for their comments on Pulwama terror attack and the subsequent developments.
He said that the Congress intention has been to shift the focus from their leaders' comment on Pulwama attack and '' take up an issue whose every falsehood spoken has been exposed"
“The government has repeatedly made its position clear. The Supreme Court has spoken on it. The petitioners are taking one more chance. The CAG has already analysed it. No dynasts can claim that he is above the Supreme Court or the CAG and that their verdicts and findings don’t apply on them,” Mr Jaitley said in reference to attempts being made to bring Rafale in public discourse.
The Congress president also came under attack from Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad and said Mr Gandhi "is somehow inadvertently or deliberately playing into hands of Rafale competitors".
“Will Rahul Gandhi need a certificate about Rafale from Pakistan? In that we cannot help. Of late, he believes Pakistan more than Indian forces," the Union Minister said.
Mr Prasad also said Congress is not showing faith in the Supreme Court which has said that "there is no commercial impropriety in the Rafale procurement process".
Jaitley confirms about 'defence notings' leak : Lays emphasis on National Security
New Delhi, Mar 7 (UNI) A day after Attorney General K K Venugopal told the Supreme Court that vital Rafale related documents have been stolen, the Government on Thursday backed the official counsel and said it is true that ''some defence notings of a sensitive interest to the country have been leaked out''.
Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley also said that while free press has to be upheld, national security would always get precedence.
''What goes in the Court, let's leave it for the Court to decide,'' Mr Jaitley told reporters during a post Cabinet meeting briefing.
He said - ''It is obvious that the Defence notings of a sensitive interest to the country have been leaked out and don't forget we have a very press in India...but even the framers of the Constitution have said that the national security is an exception and that has never been challenged in the 72 years.''
Mr Jaitley's remarks came in the wake of the strong demand for a ''criminal investigation'' against Prime Minister Narendra Modi made by Congress president Rahul Gandhi.
Addressing an early morning press conference at party headquarters here, Mr Gandhi said while the Government has acknowledged about the missing files, it should also look into the issue of parallel negotiation conducted by the PMO to finalise the Rafale deal with France.
"Why there was parallel negotiation.....why interference into Defence Ministry's job. PMO means Prime Minister's Office, means PM Modi. It is a blatant case of corruption. Why should there be no criminal investigation," Mr Gandhi said.
Mr Jaitley maintained that the latest development in the Supreme Court on the high profile Rafale issue is like ''the petitioners is taking one more chance'' while the CAG has also made its analysis on the subject.
Taking exception to Mr Gandhi's repeated outburst against the Prime Minister, Mr Jaitley said, '' No dynasts can claim that he is above the Supreme Court or the CAG and that those findings and verdict do not apply.''
He said, ''Today's comments by Rahul Gandhi, I am told words were few and the facts were completely wrong and the motivation was also collateral.''
Mr Jaitley said the Congress strategy to rake up Rafale issue at this juncture was also to diver national attention from the fact that some Congress leaders had put the party into big embarrassment for their comments on Pulwama terror attack and the subsequent developments.
The Finance minister alleged that the Congress intention has been to shift the focus from their leaders' comment on Pulwama attack and '' take up an issue whose every falsehood spoken has been exposed"
Rahul demands 'criminal investigation' against PM Modi on Rafale
New Delhi, Mar 7 (UNI) Stating that a section of media is being "punished" for being brave and taking a stand against Prime Minister Narendra Modi vis-a-vis Official Secrets Act and Rafale row, Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Thursday said there should be immediate 'criminal investigation' into why PMO was carrying out 'parallel negotiations' on the jet fighter deal with France.
"Why there was parallel negotiation.....why interference into Defence Ministry's job. PMO means Prime Minister's Office, means PM Modi. It is a blatant case of corruption. Why should there be no criminal investigation," Mr Gandhi said at an early morning press conference here.
"It is clearly written in the files that Prime Minister's parallel negotiations have delayed Rafale delivery schedule. We have papers.....Rafale did not come on time because you (Modi) wanted to help Anil Ambani," Mr Gandhi said.
Take actions against any one on missing documents, he said answering questions but hastened to add that - there should "action against Prime Minister also".
"Why Prime Minister is not ordering a probe himself?," he wondered.
He said a particular media house was being hounded in the name of Official Secrets Act because "you are being brave and standing against Prime Minister".
"Rafale files disappeared, it was said that an investigation should be conducted against media, but the person who was involved in Rs 30,000 crore scam, no investigation against him?," he maintained.
To a question, Mr Gandhi said Congress party's alliance talks with other parties are on track including in Maharashtra.
"It is only in Delhi that our party unit is against an alliance," he remarked answering a question.
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