Vultures are natural scavengers that feed on dead animals. Vultures locate carcasses primarily through sharp vision and, for some species, a strong sense of smell. Equipped with powerful, hooked beaks, vultures are able to tear through tough skin and dense flesh. Additionally, vultures rely on social cues; when one descends to a food source, others follow, …
Vultures are natural scavengers that feed on dead animals. Vultures locate carcasses primarily through sharp vision and, for some species, a strong sense of smell. Equipped with powerful, hooked beaks, vultures are able to tear through tough skin and dense flesh. Additionally, vultures rely on social cues; when one descends to a food source, others follow, ensuring efficient scavenging. The characteristics vultures carry to sustain their life unfortunately resonates deeply with the contemporary form of journalism. ‘Views over ethics’ has been the motto of many vultures man squandering as journalists. Invasion of Privacy, exploitation of tragedy, lacking empathy, whitewashing, misinformation are some of the common traits to define such journalists. Will the two paragraphs be enough for people to identify such vultures from a distance? I doubt so!!! To paint a more vivid picture of how vulture journalists operate and thrive, let’s delve into specific instances of vulture journalism in India.
The Print putting the safety of Sheikh Hasina in Line
On October 24th, The Print, a media outlet founded by journalist Shekhar Gupta, published an article titled “Sheikh Hasina is in Lutyens’ Delhi under tight security ring, left Hindon base 2 months ago,” authored by Ananya Bhardwaj. This 775-word piece details the whereabouts of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, outlining her initial accommodations upon arriving in India and her current residence. Additionally, it reveals the identities of those residing with her and even specifies which park she occasionally visits for walks.
By divulging such extensive information, it effectively provides a roadmap for anyone with malicious intent seeking to harm Sheikh Hasina. The detailed account serves as a treasure trove for individuals who may be stalking her movements or plotting potential threats.On 5th of August, Sheikh Hasina the Prime Minister of Bangladesh was forced to leave her country by the anarchists. Following which she sought help from India. ‘The Print’ not only jeopardized her safety but also raised concerns regarding the gaining influence of ‘Views over ethics’ motto. The piece is a prime example of what vulture journalism looks like!
Let’s take another instance from the same media outlet ‘The Print’ that will most probably help us develop our expertise in figuring out Vulture Journalism-
Whitewashing the Bangladeshi Hindu Genocide
On August 25th, the founder of The Print shared a link to an article from his personal Twitter account. The piece, published in his outlet, was titled “Hindus are not in danger in Bangladesh. Minorities are safer there than in India.” Authored by Zafar Sobhan, the article attempted to whitewash the Hindu Genocide and propagate the misleading notion that Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh are too far from facing any kind of discrimination and persecution, painting the country as a Garden of Eden for its minority populations. Zafar in his piece worked hard to misrepresent the widespread chaos in Bangladesh, presenting it as a noble fight for democracy and went far ahead to depict the anarchists as defenders of democratic values.
In the fourth para of the article Zafar writes “Things are far from perfect in Bangladesh when it comes to minority rights, but minorities in Bangladesh are much safer and more secure than in, say, India, just to pick a random country by way of comparison.” Zafar in his pursuit of whitewashing the Hindu Genocide showed no reluctance in claiming that minority rights in an Islamic country like Bangladesh are superior to those in a secular nation like India.” Zafar Sobhan attempting to whitewash the Hindu Genocide is something to be amazed of. Zafar Sobhan is editor of ‘Dhaka Tribune’ and the son of the late Bangladeshi activist and barrister Salma Sobhan, who is linked to the notorious Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy, infamously known as the “Butcher of Bengal.”
On August 16, 1946, Kolkata experienced one of its darkest day, Direct Action Day instigated by Muslim League leader Muhammad Ali Jinnah. Under Bengal’s Chief Minister Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy, Islamist mobs unleashed genocide against Hindus. He incited large gatherings with inflammatory speeches, urging attacks and assuring them of police inaction. By manipulating law enforcement to ignore Hindu pleas for help, he granted the mobs political and legal immunity, resulting in widespread killings, looting, rapes, and the displacement of many Hindus. Suhrawardy aimed to terrorize Hindus into submission and ensure Bengal’s inclusion in a proposed Muslim-majority Pakistan.
But what pains heart is Shekhar Gupta, a senior Indian Journalist providing a platform and endorsing views of someone like Zafar Sobhan who exhibits Anti-India and Hinduphobic sentiments. We can look for plenty of such Vulture Journalists in our state. Burkha Dutt being the most famous among them for her reporting of the Kargil War and the 26/11 Mumbai Terror Attacks that endangered the lives of civilians and army personnels.
Cutting down with the words of Rajdeep Sardesai “WE ARE VULTURES, WE FEED ON THESE MOMENTS”
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