The media persons covering the Assembly proceedings on Tuesday staged a ‘walkout’ from the press gallery of the Legislative Assembly against the diktat of deputy speaker Nazir Ahmad Gurezi who directed them not to report what Er. Rasheed said in his speech on the budget.
Earlier, during the question hour, Gurezi had asked the media persons not to cover any incident unless he gives approval for what has to be reported and what not.
“Don’t report his (Er Rashid) speech and his protest in your channels and newspapers,” deputy speaker told media persons who staged walkout in protest.
The deputy speaker passed the directive after the independent MLA jumped in the well of the House and protested against the unparliamentary language used by NC MLA Muhammad Akbar Lone.
Earlier, Rasheed was speaking during discussion on budget and urged that all the legislators should talk in a civilised manner to maintain sanctity of the House.
To this, NC MLA Muhammad Akbar Lone used abusive language and made abusive gestures at Rashid following which latter jumped into the well to protest against the behaviour of Lone.
Rashid created noisy scenes and was marshalled out from the House.
Minister for parliamentary affairs Abdul Rehman Veeri came outside the Assembly hall and tried to convince the journalists to return but journalists refused and demanded apology from deputy speaker for issuing diktat on media.
The Speaker also appealed the reporters to resume reporting but the media fraternity refused to go inside and left the premises.
It may be recalled that deputy speaker Gurezi a few days ago snatched cell phone of a journalist from press gallery and stated that he won’t allow media persons to use mobile phones inside the House. However, former CM Omar Abdullah intervened and asked the deputy speaker not to be harsh with journalists.