‘Manufactured dissent behind negative reports about government’

Minister of state for information and broadcasting Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore on Wednesday said that a spate of negative reports about the government’s performance were not an outcome of its policies, but of “unsuccessfully manufactured dissent” against it.

“This government treats the four pillars of democracy as equal. Some of those who have been unable to cope with the loss of privilege are the ones trying to unsuccessfully manufacture dissent,” he said in an interview to Hindustan Times.

He, however, ruled out the possibility of the government monitoring news content. “Since all the three mediums (TV, print and digital) have self regulating bodies, we have left it to their best judgment,” he said.

The Centre, which is leaving no stone unturned to publicise its two year in office, has been accused of imposing food choices by banning beef eating. The government has also faced criticism for allegedly curbing freedom of expression and saffronising education. Rathore dismissed these allegations and claimed that India’s image abroad had not taken a beating, which according to him was reflected in the large number of business houses queuing up to invest in the country.

“People abroad are extremely positive about our country. And it is because of their confidence in our country that they are investing here,” the 2004 Athens Olympics silver-medalist said.

The former army officer said that at a time when the global economy was in doldrums, India was being looked at “as the one bright spot” in world’s economy.

Listing his government’s achievements, the Jaipur (rural) constituency MP said the policies at the Centre were being drafted with an ear to the ground and claimed that the Narendra Modi-led government was able to provide “leadership of commitment”.

“I can frankly say the amount of work that at least I am doing right now is much more than what I did for the Olympics,” he said.