Journalism Played Significant Role in Fight for India’s Freedom: Chief Minister

Team Udayavani, Jun 12, 2017, 4:15 PM IST

Bengaluru: “When we recall the struggle for our independence, Journalism played a highly impactful role, so much so that it was synonymous with nationalism, patriotism and secularism”, said Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah speaking at the lauch of commemorative publication of National Herald news paper on June 12.

“Pandit-Ji Nehru and other freedom fighters such as Purushottam Das Tandon, Acharya Narendra Dev, Kailasnath Katju,  Rafi Ahmed Kidwai, Krishna Datt Paliwal and Govind Ballabh Pant in 1937 established the Associated Journals Limited,  under whose aegis, National Herald was published in the year 1938”, recalled chief minister during his speech.

Knowing Pandit-ji’s, penchant for lofty ideals, the National Herald, in every issue, proudly proclaimed its motto, “freedom is in peril, defend it with all your might”, on its masthead in his handwriting!, he added.

The National Herald has always championed the cause of   the freedom of press and was considered as the Voice of India, during our fight for freedom.  No wonder, it was banned between 1942 and 1945 following, the gag on the Indian press after the Quit India Resolution. Pandit-ji was firm in his belief that a newspaper in a free country, should not be influenced by a political party. Despite his formal cessation from the board, Pandit Nehru maintained close association with the editors but never interfered in the editorial policy or working of the newspaper, Siddaramaiah pointed out.