Journalist Who Wrote on Parrikar's Health, Barred From Goa Assembly

A journalist, on Monday, was barred from entering the precincts of the Goa legislative assembly, two days after he had sent across a message about Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar's ill-health. He had later retracted it.

Harish Volvoikar, who runs GoaJunction.com, was stopped by the security personnel on Monday morning which was the first day of the budget session.

"I am not being allowed to enter the assembly complex, arbitrarily. I have the required security pass to enter the assembly complex as I have been (having) for the last few years," IANS quoted as Volvoikar saying reporters at the assembly complex.

The journalist also had a confrontation with Atmaram Barve, Officer on Special Duty to the Goa Speaker Pramod Sawant over the issue. Speaking to reporters, Barve did not deny barring Volvoikar from the assembly complex. "We will discuss with the Speaker," Barve was quoted as saying.

When questioned about the reasons why Volvoikar was barred from entering the assembly complex, Speaker Pramod Sawant said: "Who is he?"

On Saturday, GoaJunction.com had released a news message about Parrikar's failing health and later retracted it.

According to the BJP brigade, the report on the health issue of Parrikar as a fake one and the journalist was barred from reporting from inside the assembly.

And before taking a look at the BJP's vigil over the fake news, it is important to understand that the culture of fake news is not new. A number of fake news was found floating on the surface at the different points of time. But, none of the leaders from the BJP regime had expressed their dissent over those. The reason? Simply because the majority of those were in favour of BJP led Centre and its policies.

Let us take a look at the main fake news of past two years.

1. Of course, the major hoax was on the new Rs 2,000 notes. Suddenly after PM Modi had announced the withdrawal of existing Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 notes on November 8, 2016, perplexed rumours started to float on the social media platforms regarding a nano geo-positioning system (GPS) chip embedded in the new Rs 2,000 notes. As per the fake news, the technologically advanced notes were meant to eradicate black money which had the same tune of the Centre. Though Reserve Bank of India officials had to deny the existence of such currencies, the Centre maintained their silence over the issue.
2. New Rs 2,000 and Rs 500 notes have radioactive ink

The rumours had started to circulate saying that the Reserve Bank of India was using radioactive ink to print the new Rs 2,000 and Rs 500 notes. The fake news was saying that new notes include a radioactive isotope of phosphorous (P32), which has 15 protons 17 neutrons. The fake news also claimed that the income tax department uses the isotope to trace large amount held at a particular spot.

3. UNESCO new 2,000 Rupees as the best currency in the world

Again the new Rs 2,000 note had become the centre of attraction for those who spread rumours. The messages claimed that UNESCO had certified the new Rs 2,000 note as the best currency in the world. The messages which were widely circulated on social media also claimed that “Dr Saurabh Mukherjee, head of cultural awareness department of UNESCO announced this to media.” Though the government did nothing to make a clarification, BBC exposed the hoax saying that “thousands of people have forwarded the message along with joyful emojis. Except for one catch. Unesco doesn't give out such awards.”

4. UNESCO declared PM Modi as the best prime minister

Yet again, the fake news was started to revolve around UNESCO saying that the UN cultural agency had declared PM Modi as the best prime minister.

5. Jayalalithaa’s “secret daughter” and her “secret life in the US”

After the demise of former Tamil Nadu chief minister, so many speculations over the life and death of the CM were hovering. Other than the speculations, fake news with photographs which says about the secret daughter of Jayalalithaa went viral on social media. The messages alleged that the secret daughter of Jayalalithaa lives somewhere in the US in anonymity.

It is quite paradoxical to see the BJP leaders, who maintained their silence over all these fake news, now breaking their silence to say that “false news” is being circulated regarding the health of Manohar Parrikar.

(Inputs from IANS)