Katju calls Anna, Ramdev’s crusade against graft as empty gas

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Noting the country is passing through a transitional phase, Press Council of India chairman Markandey Katju on Monday said social activist Anna Hazare and Yoga Guru Ramdev's crusade against corruption is nothing but an empty gas.

"Nothing is going to happen by Anna or Ramdev's crusade against corruption. The nation is going through a transitional phase and corruption is going to stay here for next 15 years," he told reporters here.

"Anna Hazare and Ramdev's movement against graft is nothing but an empty gas," Katju said.

The Press Council of India chairman, however, said he is not justifying graft.

"In this transitional period, there is no moral code and it is free for all with prices of commodities rising sharply. Corruption will continue here for next 15 years," he said.

Stressing on media responsibility, Katju said the media should give scientific and modern ideas to enable the nation's transitional phase pass off smoothly.

He asked the media to spread science and technology to every nook and corner of the country. "Be modern and balanced in your approach," Katju suggested to them.

Emphasising the need for bringing the electronic media under the purview of a media council, he alleged the TV news channels were adopting a non-serious approach.

"The electronic media is running after the TRP and does not see anything beyound making profit," Katju said.

Describing the behaviour of the electronic media as 'irresponsible', he said it blows events like Sachin's 100th century, Rahul Dravid's retirement, Dev Anand's death and Ashwariya Rai becoming mother out of proportion.