From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Belagavi
Belagavi, Nov 21: In what could turn out to be yet another confrontation involving the media and the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, the lower house on Tuesday rejected a request by the two Editors – Ravi Belagere of Hai Bengaluru and Anil Raju of Yelahanka Voice – for reconsideration of the one year jail sentence awarded to them by the Speaker K B Koliwad for breach of privilege over their alleged defamatory articles against State legislators.
A resolution for reconsideration of punishment and a fine of Rs 10,000 each on Ravi Belagere, who is Editor of 'Hi Bangalore', and Anil Raju, Editor of 'Yelahanka Voice' in connection with the publication of the articles was rejected by the State Assembly at Belagavi Suvarna Vidhana Soudha by a voice vote on Tuesday.
The June 21 assembly resolution punishing both the Editors based on the recommendations of Privileges Committee of the House led to protests from the media with the Editors' Guild of India terming it as a "gross misuse" of power which "violates" the fundamental right of freedom of speech.
Contending that the resolution was illegal and unconstitutional, the two journalists had moved the Karnataka High Court seeking quashing of the sentence and the latter had advised finding an amicable solution to the controversy.
Subsequently, the High Court had disposed the petitions after the journalists said they would appear before the Speaker and seek revision of the resolution.
The two Editors had later visited the Speaker's office seeking review and also submitted their arguments and representations through their advocates.
Based on the representations made to him by the two Editors, Speaker Koliwad placed their plea for reconsideration before the House.
Initiating the discussion on the issue, BJP MLA S R Vishwanath, who had originally complained against Anil Raju for allegedly writing defamatory articles against him, contended that their plea for reconsideration has to be rejected outright.
He said: "Despite privilege being moved against him, he (Raju) continued to write against me. They should have been punished by now. Instead their punishment should be increased."
MLAs across the party like S R Mahesh of JD(S), Ashok Pattan, G S Srinivas, J R Lobo, Vijayanand Kashappanavar (all Congress) and B R Patil supported Vishwanath's demand.
Pattan said the reconsideration petition should not have been brought to the House.
However, BJP leader Suresh Kumar felt the decision taken by the House should not become a "laughing stock.’’
He said it was not clear whether the issue comes under the ambit of privilege and felt the house should act cautiously because this may go to the court tomorrow.
JD(S) MLA YSV Datta supported Suresh Kumar and felt House must tread cautiously.
Intervening, Health Minister Ramesh Kumar said by questioning the merits of the privilege committee decision, the
Editors in their reconsideration plea have questioned the wisdom of the members.
"Looking at it, it deserves to be rejected. They should have instead pleaded for mercy without going into the merits," he said.
Speaker Koliwad said the journalists and their advocates made their arguments and submitted their representations.
"I told them that I am not empowered to take any decision on this matter as it is the decision of the House, which was supreme,’’ Koliwad added.