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- Dubai 04:36 05:52 12:21 15:49 18:45 20:02
Indian demonstrators hold placards as they shout anti-government slogans during a protest calling for better safety for women in India in New Delhi on December 25, 2012, following the rape of a student in the Indian capital. An Indian policeman injured in clashes during a protest over a gang-rape in New Delhi has died a police spokesman said, as much of the city centre remained sealed off following the violence. (AFP)
This just in: Five of state TV channel Doordarshan’s employees have been placed under suspension for Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s faux pas at the end of his minute-long address yesterday.
What was meant to be a keystone address by Singh on women’s safety in India, seven days after the brutal gang-rape of the Delhi medical student, turned into a furious Twitter trend after the PM ended his speech with a ‘theek hai’ (all well?) comment.
The PM evidently directed the question – Theek Hai – at the television crew, but Indian masses took to Twitter and other social media sites, criticising for his lackadaisical attitude, wooden face and an unemotional speech at a time when the country is bubbling with anger.
Now, Indian daily The Hindu is reporting that five of Doordarshan’s staffers have been suspended because of the PM’s gaffe.
“Authoritative sources told The Hindu that the Prime Minister’s Office had given two time slots for recording to Doordarshan and ANI but apparently the Doordarshan team could not make it on time. ANI inadvertently decided to telecast the Prime Minister’s message live to 41 television channels with the last line “theek hai” not edited out,” reports the daily.
India’s tech savvy public has once again taken to Twitter to voice their angst against what they perceive is the authorities’ sheer incompetence in bringing justice to the victim by fast-tracking the case.
“Doordarshan techs suspended immediately but rapists don't face action for years... Very well said... Actually sab #theekhai,” tweeted Sapna (@sapna0509).
“It is reported that five Doordarshan employees have been placed under suspension for the faux pas” | Kya yeh Theek Hai?,” tweeted another Twitter use Barbarian Indian (@barbarindian).
A 23-year-old girl was brutally raped and beaten up in a moving bus in the national capital on the fateful night of November 17.
Thousands of protesters in Delhi took to the streets on Saturday, Sunday and Monday, demanding justice for the rape survivor and death penalty for the culprits.
However, the focus of the statement has now turned into a debate on Singh’s own status in the PM’s office. Surely all is not ‘theek hai’.
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