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| Mid Day column noted that while Tarun Tejpal had ‘committed a grave error’, but suggested, he should not have been ‘dragged through the coals’ for that. |
June 9, 2016, NewsCrunch
A Mid Day column has been slammed for trying to rehabilitate disgraced journalist Tarun Tejpal, who is facing a rape charge and is out on bail.
The column has united voices on both left and right. Sidharth Varadarajan, a left icon, said it was time to ask questions on the tardy progress of the rape trial in
India Today senior journalist Shiv Aroor, a committed right-winger, said the Mid Day had given gives Tarun Tejpal a milk bath.
The 174 word Mid Day column briefly said it was time to bring back THINK, an talking event promoted by Tarun Tejpal, as ‘India needs strong liberal voices.’ It went on to inform that THINK could be revived early 2017, with a hint that it would be a proxy vehicle for Tarun Tejpal’s comeback.
The column noted that while Tarun Tejpal had ‘committed a grave error’, but suggested, he should not have been ‘dragged through the coals’ for that.
There was some moving optimismin the short piece: “The rehabilitation of the once celebrated writer is underway…After all, everyone makes a comeback in
The same column had made another reference to Tarun Tejpal in March. It had noted that a ‘a distinctly rested looking’ Tarun Tejpal had attended an event organised by
As the columnist found out, Tarun Tejpal still evokes strong emotions. In 2014, he had been included in the list of speakers at the Times Literature Festival in Mumbai. After other participants started pulling out, he was dropped.
Angry tweets: Hogwash outcry after Mid Day column campaigns to whitewash Tarun Tejpal
Instead, Mid-day should ask where's the "speedy trial" the victim was promised?: 'Mid-Day’s whitewash of Tejpal'https://t.co/O1kKYQVL0t— Siddharth (@svaradarajan) June 9, 2016
— Richa lakhera ndtv (@iamrichalakhera) June 9, 2016
This is Mulayam Singh's...bache galat kar jaate hain...yahaan ek buddhe ne kiyaa...bass..@mid_day Who is the writer? pic.twitter.com/u7W9pWEAWp— radha raju (@radharaju18) June 9, 2016
— TheCol (@desertfox61I) June 9, 2016
‘Strong, liberal voices’ do NOT need a #TarunTejpal to fight the good fight. Thanks all the same.— Vaishna Roy (@vaishnavroy) June 9, 2016
Every time I gain some faith in Indian Journalists, that cavernous hole of bullshit they call Liberal's mouth, opens. #TarunTejpal— Akhri Pasta (@TheLitttleLiar) June 9, 2016
Not the 1st time a big media house is helping #TarunTejpal reincarnate. Remember the LitFest invitation in end 2014 by a bigger media house?— durga nandini (@nandinidurga) June 9, 2016
the last edition of @mid_day was edited by #MSY .. "Ladko se galti ho jati hai" .. Grave Error .. not rape ... #TarunTejpal— Udta Gabbu (@funjabi_gabru) June 9, 2016
Those protesting the ban on the movie "India's Daughter" are now calling rape an error. Nirbhaya's rapists have company in #TarunTejpal.— Prasanna Karthik R (@prasannakarthik) June 9, 2016
.@mid_day should indulge in #TarunTejpal#Rape apologism in its own name not in the name of Liberals #NotInMyNamepic.twitter.com/cmDCkkjrhE— Aditya Paul (@adityampaul) June 9, 2016