New Delhi: Alleging that the government action smacked of "authoritarianism and intimidation", Congress on Friday hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over a one-day ban on a Hindi channel with Rahul Gandhi terming it as "shocking and unprecedented".
Party leader Digvijay Singh suggested that all newspapers and channels should "show courage" and "go off air and not publish" on November 9 to register their protest.
"Detaining opposition leaders, blacking out tv channels- all in a day's work in Modiji's India.
"NDTV Banned-shocking and unprecedented (sic)," the Congress Vice President said on Twitter.
Several Congress leaders attacked the government over the issue of putting the channel off air and asked if these were the promised "achhe din" (good days) by Modi.
"It is only a beginning of BJP Model of Good Governance and their expertise of Media Control.
"Modi's Model of Gujarat Governance has begun to show its real face. First Farmers then Labour then Traders then Servicemen and now Media.
"Don't tell me later I didn't warn you ! I may be seen to be speaking out of turn but I know these people better than any of you. Good Luck," Digvijay Singh said in a series of tweets.
He also put out a small note entitled "First they came ..." asking all to see Pastor Martin Niemoller famous statement "First they came.." about cowardice of German Intellectuals following Nazis' rise.
"With my compliments to Media pl learn from History else you know what is in store for you !," he said along with the note.
Singh also wondered if media houses would protest against the order against the channel and said, "Would they also show courage and go off air and not print Newspapers on 9th November ?
"I am certain they won't. May God give them courage." Senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel, who is also political secretary to party president Sonia Gandhi, said,
"Government's decision to ban NDTV India smacks of authoritarianism and intimidation."
"Mark of authoritarianism is when political leaders are detained by police and news channels are banned. What Rights will Modi ji come for next," Congress said on its twitter handle while lashing out at the PM.
