Opposition parties argued that the directive was an undemocratic attempt to control the media.
Digital Desk: On Tuesday, the Himachal Pradesh Police revoked an order requiring journalists to submit a "character certificate" to cover Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the state on Wednesday.
On September 29, the Bilaspur Superintendent of Police issued the order. Opposition parties argued that the directive was an undemocratic attempt to control the media.
The directive has been lifted, according to Himachal Pradesh Director General of Police Sanjay Kundu.
"Any inconvenience created in this regard is regretted," read a press release from the director general's office. "HP Police cordially invites all journalists to cover the Hon'ble Prime Minister's visit to Himachal Pradesh on October 5, 2022, and pledges to enable their coverage."
According to reports, the September 29 directive for character certificates applied to all correspondents, photographers, videographers, as well as teams from the state-run Doordarshan and All India Radio.
The mandate requested the district public relations officer to provide the deputy superintendent of police in Bilaspur with a list of media personnel who will cover Modi's visit by October 1.
Congress declared that the demand for character certificates constituted an assault on the democratic culture. "These people [BJP] have been assaulting Himachal Pradesh's culture for the past five years," the party claimed. "This disrespect will never be tolerated by Himachal."
Reportedly, Aam Aadmi Party spokesperson Pankaj Pandit stated that he had never witnessed such a bizarre order in his 22-year media career.
"Modi Ji is not coming to the state for the first time," Pandit explained. "The requirement for a character certificate is demeaning and an attempt to limit the operations of the media."
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