The media fraternity in West Bengal has taken umbrage over comments by Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra at a party meeting, where she purportedly described the press as "two paisa worth". A legal notice was sent to Mahua Moitra by Calcutta High Court lawyer and journalist Samarjit Roy Chowdhury.
The media fraternity in West Bengal has taken umbrage over comments by Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra at a party meeting, where she purportedly described the press as "two paisa worth".
In videos widely circulated on social media, the Krishnanagar MP can be seen gesticulating to a person to leave the venue of the meeting in Nadia district on Sunday, after he had introduced himself as a reporter.
"Who has called ''du poisar'' press (two paisa worth) here? Do remove these elements from the venue. Some of our party members invite such people to closed-door meetings to see their faces on TV. This is not done," she was heard saying in one of the videos.
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A legal notice was sent to Mahua Moitra by Calcutta High Court lawyer and journalist Samarjit Roy Chowdhury.
The Press Club - Kolkata, in a statement, decried Ms Moitra's remarks and said she should withdraw her comments and apologise.
After facing backlash for calling the media "worthless", Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra on Monday (December 7) apologised for the comment despite remaining firm in her claim.
Moitra took to Twitter to issue a statement, "I apologise for the mean, hurtful, accurate things I said."
Expressing dismay over Ms Moitra's counter, Press Club-Kolkata president Snehasis Sur said on Tuesday (December 8) that journalists are hurt at the way "she made light of her initial comments".
"Everyone can comprehend what she wanted to convey in the Twitter post," Sur said.
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Several journalists and people from other professions have also slammed Ms Moitra on social media for "belittling a noble profession" and judging its worth through monetary terms.
Ms Moitra's comments were also condemned by several politicians, including members of her own party.
Lawyer and journalist Samarjit Roy Chowdhury sent a legal notice to Mahua Moitra in this regard. The lawyer also mentioned in the legal notice that a criminal case will be filed against her if she does not apologize.