BJP, Congress slam Delhi government for anti-media circular

The Delhi government invited strong criticism from the BJP and Congress on Sunday for issuing a circular to its officials to report any news damaging reputation of the chief minister, his council of ministers and the government.

Reacting to Arvind Kejriwal-led government's circular, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Vijendra Gupta said it was "frustration" of the Delhi government to issue such a circular.

"The (Delhi) government is about to complete 100 days in office and it has nothing to talk about (in terms of work)," the Leader of Opposition in the Delhi assembly told reporters.

"It's an attack on freedom of media and it (circular) should be taken back," he said, adding that the BJP would protest against it.

The Congress party said the Delhi government's circular was unacceptable.

"This is democracy and not a dictatorship," Congress spokesperson Tom Vadakkan told reporters.

On Saturday, the Delhi government decided to file defamation cases against media groups for publishing or broadcasting any news that damages its reputation.

It issued a circular that if any officer of the Delhi government feels that a published or aired item damages his or the government's reputation, he should file a complaint with the principal secretary (home).