Himachal Pradesh: After backlash, decision to seek 'character certificate' to cover PM’s Bilaspur rally withdrawn

SHIMLA: After facing backlash, chief minister Jai Ram Thakur-led government has taken back the decision to seek 'certificate of character verification' from the journalists for the coverage of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s rally at Bilaspur in Himachal Pradesh on Wednesday.
After the issue was highlighted, there was widespread resentment against the decision. DGP Sanjay Kundu said that instructions issued by the SP Bilaspur on September 29 have been withdrawn.
Through an order SP Bilaspur had asked the deputy public relations officer of Bilaspur to provide the list of journalists along with their certificates of character verification to the office of DSP (CID) by October 1 to decide about the access of journalists for the rally.
As soon as the issue was highlighted, Congress started targeting the BJP government by questioning the decision. Congress media department chairman Naresh Chauhan said that to seek certificate of character verification from the journalists is very shameful. He said that such a shameful decision taken by the BJP government is being witnessed for the first time in history.

After the government decision courted controversy, the DGP Sanjay Kundu tweeted, “All journalists are most welcome to cover Hon’ble Prime Minister’s visit to Himachal Pradesh tomorrow 5th October 2022. Himachal Pradesh Police will facilitate their coverage. Any inconvenience is regretted.”
SP Bilaspur on Tuesday issued another order expressing regret by saying that the September 29 letter was issued by his office inadvertently. He said that police will facilitate the journalists and passes will be issued to all those recommended by the Director Public Relations and District Public Relations Officer.
The DGP's office also issued a letter stating that instructions issued by the SP Bilaspur on September 29 have been withdrawn by the DGP and any inconvenience caused in this regard is regretted.