The Union Minister for Railways and Coal, Piyush Goyal has drawn criticism for his combative response to a question about India’s air strikes in the Balakot area of Pakistan.
In a one-on-one session with journalist Rahul Kanwal at the India. Goyal was asked if the international media’s narrative that the Indian Air Force missed its targets and dropped bombs in a forest.
Jaish-e-Mohammad training camps puts pressure on India to prove that its operation was successful. Goyal asked Kanwal if he is a “part of the narrative that is trying to belittle our armed forces”. The agitated minister called it a “matter of shame”.
Goyal, Kanwal hit back saying, “Neither me, nor anyone sitting here needs any lesson in nationalism or patriotism from you or anyone else,” applause from the audience.
Goyal’s reaction led many journalists to question why asking a straightforward question was considered belittlement of the country and its armed forces.
The other journalists called out the role of anchors like Kanwal in fostering an environment where such attacks and accusations of being “anti-national” by politicians have become commonplace.
https://twitter.com/akashbanerjee/status/1102655927285616644
Proud of Rahul Kanwal for standing up the way he did to the bully, Piyush Goyal. Proud that he's a Gunner's son like me. How dare these shameless BJP types question anyone's patriotism! pic.twitter.com/NqDE96J6Sw
— Mandeep Singh Bajwa (@MandeepBajwa) March 4, 2019
This no way for a minister to be so arrogant and sweeping in his comments. Shows hubris and lack of humility. Why can't this question be addressed more objectively? Losing more friends in media can be costly. Nothing offensive in @rahulkanwal question.
— ashok kapahtia (@Ashok_Kapahtia) March 5, 2019
The most telling part of this exchange was audience clapping when @rahulkanwal told @PiyushGoyal that he has no claim on nationalism. Just yesterday, the armed forces refused to comment on numbers – makes the hon. minister look rather…. https://t.co/xhTO3S01iF
— Quo Vadimus (@Chetlur) March 5, 2019
Great @rahulkanwal , hope you have understood that the first duty of a journalist is to question those in power. Would love to see you in this form in the future as well. This confrontation should not stop at Piyush goyal only as the present dispensation has many people like him. https://t.co/yS2goOcjYT
— Syed Hassan Kazim سید حسن کاظم (@kazimtweets) March 5, 2019
Love how Rahul Kanwal kept his cool and gave it back to the minister in this case. Are journalists not allowed to ask a question also now? https://t.co/b5XEB4hKBp
— Shilpa (@Shilpa1308) March 5, 2019
At the India Today Conclave Rahul Kanwal's words – "I don't need a certificate on nationalism or patriotism" is what every Indian citizen has been saying to the arrogant BJP government since 2014.
— Gaurav Gogoi (@GauravGogoiAsm) March 5, 2019
