" I t seems to me that your government is neither able to maintain law and order nor prevent attacks on journalists, which seriously imperils freedom of the press," MARKANDAY KATJU / PCI CHAIRMAN

œ FPJ POLITICAL BUREAU Mumbai

The Press Council of India Wednesday issued a showcause notice to Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan asking why his government should not be sacked for failing to protect journalists.

In a stinging letter to Chavan, a copy of which is with IANS, Council chairman Markandey Katju said Press freedom was a constitutional right and the Press Councils job was to uphold that freedom.

Katju said it was the duty of the state government to maintain law and order.

" But it seems to me that your government is neither able to maintain law and order nor prevent attacks on journalists, which seriously imperils freedom of the press," he said.

A delegation of eight journalists from Maharashtra led by SM Deshmukh, met Katjhu and apprised him of a large number of physical attacks on journalists and media houses in the state, including the most recent on the offices of Maharashtra Times, a Marathi daily from the Times of India group.

Katju was also informed that in the past 10 years, over 800 journalists were physically attacked.

" I had written two letters to you but there was no response to either of them.

Did I not even deserve the courtesy of a reply?" Katju asked Chavan. Katju asked Chavan to show- cause why he ( Katju) should not recommend to President Pratibha Patil the dismissal of the state government for failing to uphold the constitution.

He asked Chavan to reply within three weeks, following which " I will take such action as is fit in the circumstances". The media delegation also met President Patil.