A new set of rules announced by the government puts curbs on retired civil servants who worked in security agencies who write for the media. From now on, these bureaucrats will have to submit their articles and manuscripts to their former departments for clearance, a sure way to delay or even censor publication.
The rules have been heavily criticised, with many retired officials saying they will not submit the pieces and would rather not write. What does this sudden announcement show?
Jawhar Sircar, retired former CEO of Prasar Bharati and one-time cultural secretary, says the government’s move shows there is a ”fear in the regime”. In a frank, no-holds-barred podcast discussion with Sidharth Bhatia, Sircar says it is trying to stop anything that “disturbs the narrative” it is projecting. “Rule by terror is on the upswing,” he says.