By this time, three things ought to have happened: one, Major General G.D. Bakshi should have declared war; two, TV news anchors should have demanded a ‘surgical strike’; three, India Today’s Gaurav Sawant would have turned out in his army fatigues.
As it was, we have had to make do with tepid headlines like ‘Army firm, won’t step back’ (Times Now), and panoramic shots of the Pangong Lake — which remind you of the film 3 Idiots and CGI war games – the closest TV news has come to facing down the enemy. (NewsNation).
Where is all the fire in the belly we saw blazing during Balakot? Where are the TV news anchors thundering like exploding mangoes, sorry, missiles? Where are the retired army officers, the strategic experts red in the face with battle cries?
Well, they’re missing in action, probably because, in this instance, the opponent in not Imran Khan’s Pakistan, but the People’s Republic of China.
Also read: Itching for an India-Pak war, TV news channels decided a simulated one is as good as any
Why you missed what you missed
If you are a casual watcher of TV news, it might have completely escaped your notice that a border confrontation between India and China is currently on, after reported incursions by the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) in several parts of Ladakh this month — and even some skirmishes between the two sides.
The only war clouds you may have seen were the one described thus by News 18 India: ‘Tiddi ka hamla….five states under attack’ as locust swarms invaded the western states and, last heard, were heading for the national capital.
Otherwise, what you see is the ongoing battle against the coronavirus and the ‘Maha mess’ (Republic TV) in the stand-off between the Maharashtra government and the Centre on trains for migrants.
But China, where’s that on your TV screen? Mostly confined to papers. News channel after news channel has magnified the map of the India-China border and darted about with arrows to indicate the exact location of the incursions and the relative position of the respective armed forces —although Wednesday, ABP News did show us a bridge and a road India was building, which, it claimed, had “robbed China of its sleep”.
Also read: ‘India declares war on space’ & other absurd things TV anchors said after Modi’s A-SAT speech
Sporadic, apologetic coverage
Coverage of this stand-off has been sporadic and mostly confined to news updates. It’s been muted — we haven’t seen or heard a prime time debate firing all cylinders, taking the battle to the enemy with all the lung power at its command.
In fact, it’s been almost apologetic. On Wednesday, an India Today headline simply read, ‘Tackling China’s incursions’. It then asked, politely, “What should India do?” Would it ever have asked such a question if the opponent had been Pakistan?
ABP News described the ‘The dragon’s dirty game’ like it was announcing today’s weather report, before it added bravely, but in hushed tones, “India gave a befitting reply” or “mooh-tod jawab”.
It had played out a computer war game Tuesday and then claimed that China was still smarting from the 2017 Doklam stand-off. Even now, India was pressing forward, it added.
On ABP News, Maj Gen G.D. Bakshi did indeed attack China — he said it was helping Pakistan, but it was also running “scared” since the coronavirus outbreak, but not once did he raise his voice.
When Aaj Tak asked, ‘Does China want war?’ Tuesday evening, its tone was about as aggressive as a lamb’s. No war graphics, no horrendous dragons breathing fire… it’s all quiet on the eastern front.
NDTV 24×7 and Times Now both had most civilised conversations – note we said conversations, not debates – on the situation in Ladakh. On Times Now, Wednesday, Rigzin Spalsar, former chairman Ladakh Council, said China had repeatedly made incursions into Indian territory — and it was “very serious”.
A calm anchor asked strategic affairs expert Sushant Sareen about the incursions. He was equally composed: no need to get “hysterical”, he said; there was a stand-off, but both India and China were keeping quiet. And, so was the media, it seems.
On NDTV 24×7, Tuesday, Gen S.L. Narasimhan, member, National Security Council, said with utmost reasonableness that there were talks on the ground, at the government and diplomatic levels too, and it may be a good idea to not analyse everything.
Also read: Zee News, Times Now, Aaj Tak must perish in 2020. India’s TV news needs to go back a decade
How it ought to be
And that leads us to Zee News and Sudhir Chaudhary on Tuesday evening. He was man enough to take on China, saying Beijing was simply trying to push New Delhi around. This was part of China’s larger plan to divert attention from its failings in the coronavirus pandemic and the fact that ‘everyone was against China’. Hence, its recent clashes with Taiwan, Hong Kong, Australia, and the US — and now India, according to Zee News.
No fire and brimstone here, no grandstanding or grandiose claims that India will destroy the enemy. All of that is preserved and reserved for Pakistan — when faced with a neighbour who is stronger and bigger, our news channels aren’t half as courageous.
Clearly, they are also following the approach take by the Centre, which is to tone down the rhetoric. That would explain their unusual self-control in the face of great provocation.
Which is a good thing and just as it ought to be: we don’t want the TV studios to turn into a war room with combatants battling across the table. The situation is serious enough without TV debates getting into the fight.
We just wish this sensible, down-to-earth approach was applied to coverage of India-Pakistan confrontations too.
But then, if wishes were horses…
Views are personal.
Whatever you write your approach to defame hindi news channels anchors is not a good idea mind in your own business.
.india Pakistan issues have Hindu Muslim undertone. Hence the bickering. More acrimoneous the debate, more TRP. With China, there is no such issue. Hence press coverage is vey mature. I know my comment may not be what you call ‘socially acceptable in media. But thats the truth.
You are sick family libertard parasites. You will shit in your pants if you have to go on borders. Shame on you.
You are absolutely a piece of shit. You such disgusting stinky people
India – Pakistan relationship is very different from that of indo – china. pakistan has shown aggressiveness on the border since 1947 and has infiltrated terrorists in indian territory continuously . we have fought 3-4 major wars with Pakistan. Also one can’t deny that there is also an ideological confrontation going on between people of India and Pakistan. the tensions can be observed during india pakistan match. Each day leaders of both countries goes in verbal dispute on twitter escalated by common people. On the other hand china is a powerful country and has always played mind games instead of direct confrontation. Also china is a big player in international arena and its actions are closely monitored by other powerful countries. Coming to what the author has rambled up in this article, she has just focused on a tiny portion of the whole matter. She is blaming news channels for their biased broadcast
ing but she is forgetting that this is what news channels do. For their audience they only present those programme that appease people. besides media if she had focused on what people of India think about these matters it would be better.
Great article. Indian media is known to be involved in massive false reporting. As we saw in Feb 2019, when our air force conducted a false surgical strike in Balakot Pakistan and later were humiliated by Pakistan Airforce. Even when our pilot Abhinadan was shot down by the PAF was shown as a hero. When in fact he provided victory to Pakistan. We are not fools.
hahaha porkis were forced to apologise n hand over pilot with respect despite the fact that he killed their pilot whom they did not even acknowledge due to shame …. false surgical strike ? i think ur ammi n abbu jaan made false surgical strike on each other n hence u were born …..porkis go humiliated royally and thats nice …i think circcumcised brains n ur cult will continue to pay the ultimate price for ur bias
The Print, Wire, Scroll etc.. are same face with different names, these are all corrupt paid media for Pakistan and Chinese propaganda.
Then they indian media should go all out ,blazing gun ,, like how we did against Pakistan,, ain’t it ,, give your fart opinion
Testing time for PM Modi.
I want to add one thing that if unarmed Hong Kong youth have courage why nation of 130 crores cannot muster courage to handle China.
I m not saying war
But if we give away our land this way then why the hell we maintain armed forces
So same as you please update your facts ist india has more Muslims than china and pakistan
Second we respect our people’s so stop dividing our people’s in the name of minorities etc
Third prophet mohd make first mosque in kerala which is in India.
Not In any muslim country so update your facts .
Such as you think only Arab Emirates and society hold all muslim community no change your mind set .
India is originator of many religions like sanatam dhram which you people’s name us Hinduism Sikhism Buddhism and jainism we are all one .
So nxt thing is that indian Muslims can follow allha teaching not any Arab world techings.
So stop tries make people’s follow.
These are the guys we have be wary of. Backstabbers, provocators etc who relish in discomforting Indians. Poor chaps resort to such yellow journalism as no one otherwise reads them
Yes, I am sure Shailaja Bajpai is amongst those who want to carry out candle light vigils and “Aman ki Asha” or whatever the Mandrin equivalent of it is, at the border, because that according to her is the right response. Gra the India TV channel;s go hyper when it is about Pakistan, but isn’t this the same with Left-funded, Congress-funded or backed publishing houses, which blow their top when they are reporting anything about the Modi Government? How come that becomes a “sensible, down-to-earth approach”? In case of Pakistan, their BAT teams with Muslim Jihadi elements and soldiers combined (print this as it is, because that is the truth- don’t say it is objectionable) have beheaded Indian soldiers caught off-gaurd and butchered and maimed them in unimaginable ways. If this had happened to someoe in Ms Bajpai’s immediate family, I would have liked to see she and her family members give out statements with a “sensible, down-to-earth approach”.
What’s wrong with you guys ?
Comparing reporting on border skirmishes, as you put it, with a terrorist attack ?
China has never sent terrorists into India, so why the breast beating on lack of uniform coverage on China and Pakistan ?
Running out of issues to report ?
China has sent his troops on Indian border to occupy India’s land! For Indian’s they are obviously terrorist that promote to war in the situations of pandemic started by China??
who the hell wrote this..Do you even see th republic TV.. there’s been enough fire in the last 3 days about the china issue. And why do you want fire in the belly..If TV anchors show the fire.. you write something like ..why so much fire ..if they don’t, you write this..(even if they do..just to support Pakistan or the one who paid you to write this.)
Get a life.
Curious case of a left liberal creep.
I just wonder, are these persons seriously imbecile or do they get that much happiness when siding with enemy states ? What does she mean btw ?
indian medias are angry with pak bcoz it is a small country and they don’t show that much energy when the opponent is china bcoz china is bigger. Is that the thing ? Seriously ? Are you not aware that we haven’t had any direct gun fight with china for decades ? And we have it with pakistan on a daily basis. Bcoz pakistan constantly sends terrorists to india, they are tirelessly funding and training islamic terrorists in pakistan and in kashmir to attack india. And actually it is their only engagement. is this person that dumb to ignore these things ? ?
You are unbelievable. Though I don’t agree with the ideology of modi at all, craps like you push me towards him when it comes to the issue of national security.
Get a life madam.
It is not the fault of TV anchors, their strategic affairs guests or the govt that border skirmishes against Pakistan and those against China are handled differently. There are 2 reasons.
1. Indians want to vicariously enjoy humiliating Pakistan by TV theatrics, rhetoric and similar antics. Same sentiment is applicable on the other side of the Wagah border. Such juvenile psychological high is not obtainable by similar antics against China – hence TV channels don’t bother.
2. The Indian defence establishment goaded on by Nehru govt tried this in late 50s and early 60s – result was unpleasant. Subsequent govt have learnt the lesson and behave with restraint because similar result is a possibility even today.
Indian public must realise that the present govt and media have learnt to game their emotions and make them behave as per what the govt desires. Recognising this fact and avoiding giving free pass to the govt’s follies may result in better outcomes for India as a whole.
This article shows that Indian press does not know where to draw the line. They will do anything, including harm ng the country to meet their agenda of ousting the govt.
These are the traitors who will deal with the invaders. The country has always been weak because the invaders took advantage of such traitors.
Excellent article, but most can not digest it. Their immune system is not good.
True.
Excellent article.
When real crisis comes the real patriots will emerge. Just go back to the times of the Indian Freedom struggle to understand the rise of true leaders and true ideas of patriotism on which this great nation was found.
Whoever wrote this piece of shit doesn’t have any idea about the situations at LOC and LAC and the kind of relations that India shares with Pakistan and China.
Not a single bullet has been fired since 1967 between India and China.So why should media screm WAR-WAR.
Whereas there is everyday exchange of fire at LOC and our western neighbour is a maniac
And this lady Shailaja has the audacity to criticise General Bakshi.
Go fall at his feet for his service you ungrateful lady
So print has a stomach ache if pakistan is bashed.After having seen the Chinese and the Pakistani s I can say Chinese in General can be managed and do have civic sense.on the other hand Pakistani s just want to have a fight are radicalized and know only war..If you remove the CCP the average chinese is as cool headed as an indian.
Do you mean China has Civic sense for their incursion into our territory. Why don’t the govt and media talk about retaliation now like India doing similar surgical strike or entering their territory. They know it’s not Pak now they have a mighty PLA to face that’s why all of them became like rats now
Your reference to General G D Bakshi in this manner is really demeaning. Pls remember he has been at the forefront of India’s security matters and his anger most of the times comes out of the deep pain at the loss of our brave soldiers and innocent civilians. Most of all to compare China with Pakistan in this matter itself is not right because Pakistan being a smaller nation to india continuously provokes us where as india being smaller to China has never done so. We have never pushed Pakistan unless provoked whereas China is pushing us for construction of infrastructure within our boundary. Hope better sense prevails.
I can call you idiot on face. But I will mellow down and use euphemisms if I have to speak about some fanatic prophet as it would create problem. See, it is as simple as that.
quite funny. in the China-India Conflict, China is dealing with India like India deals with Pakistan. There is always a Head above every head.
The common Indian people must realize that India under the current leadership is only an inflated bubble nothing else. the more they inflate this bubble the bigger the scale of the disaster would be for India.
From a Pakistani’s perspective, looking at the policies of Mr. Modi and his Party, at times, Modi appears to be an agent of Pakistan or China. looks like “someone” has invested decades of time and resources in “developing” Mr. Modi and he is now exploiting Indian-patriotism and Hindu-Nationalism to the benefit of his creators. If that is not the case, and if Mr. Modi is doing it all alone “in the best interest of India” then may God have mercy on India. All his policies are ultimately going to lead to wrecked India.
So same as you please update your facts ist india has more Muslims than china and pakistan
Second we respect our people’s so stop dividing our people’s in the name of minorities etc
Third prophet mohd make first mosque in kerala which is in India.
Not In any muslim country so update your facts .
Such as you think only Arab Emirates and society hold all muslim community no change your mind set .
India is originator of many religions like sanatam dhram which you people’s name us Hinduism Sikhism Buddhism and jainism we are all one .
So nxt thing is that indian Muslims can follow allha teaching not any Arab world techings.
So stop tries make people’s follow.
Indians respect Chinese. Indians consider Pakistanis as inferior people. Since pakis are all inbred and have always been under Indian rule. pakis could never produce a king. people get treated according to their aukaat. Pakistanis never had any aukaat.
Irony of this country …Whether to deal with corona or Chinese incursion or the sadistic authors like Shailaja Bajpai. It’s clearly visible people like you are ecstatic when India is humiliated. Whom to worry about Pak, China or inside haters like you. Shame on you author and The Print as well who published such articles
Sounds like Chinese mouthpiece
This time media persons like shailja behan should be appointed on border to fight in war ,as they seems to be much more interested in war than public, politicians and even the defence personals.
Look useless stupid lady editor we are going through pandemic ,economical recession , migration ,locust attack , gas leak and many more internal issues , so kindly put a large stop on your attention seeking articles ?
The wire is the only news agency who always tarnish the image of India. And more interesting the correspondent of wire influnced by the Left front . So they write and brodcast such a studpid things which generally against the integrity of India. Well u can’t expect something good from these people.
If India and the Indians want to see the motherland progress and get rid of poverty of its own masses, to give proper quality education and provide quality health care to its citizens and to really become a regional independent super power then India should be friendly with its neighbours including China and Pakistan and resolve all the differences peacefully including Kashmir by taking all stakeholders into confidence with involvement of Kashmiri people then nobody can touch India because the war mongering approach is not going to help anyone. The mighty US with all its superior weapons was not able to win a war with taliban and is looking for a peaceful solution.
Get well soon!!!
So what are you happy or complaining about?
What is your interest?
.India should initiate a surprise and a major all-out two-front war in the very near future with whatever resources it has. Arrogant China thinks that the rest of the world is weak and distracted and is therefore using this opportunity to expand its influence and territory. India should scuttle China’s plans by giving China a bloody nose with everything India has got. Whether India wins or loses, devastate China to the greatest extent. Yes, China’s economy has become five times bigger than India’s, but that also means that China has a lot more to lose than India. For every $1 that India will lose, China will lose 5$. The devastation for China will be much more when USA, Taiwan, Japan, and others join the war. After seeing India’s bravery, when these other anti-China countries join in, then for every $1 that India will lose, China will lose $100.
You and ur credible NDTV will never give due credit to strong central leadership . Withdrawal of proposed bill by Nepal regarding map ammendment , Milder tone of Chinese spokesperson, conditions on Chinese borders are less tensed now has nothing to do with central authority.
Actually they are aware about this fact that India is in a very weak condition in comparison with China on the basis of economy or military strength,and the government also know this.As a result ,they. Do not show much aggressive behaviour with China.
Your love for China is very clear. You want to paint India as cowards. So be it. Time only will tell. Till such time change your name to MISPRINT.
You have an opportunity to be able to express your thoughts to masses. But, surprised that people like you also get to write these days. You really have no idea about India’s relationship with Pakistan and China. Don’t blame others for your not understanding the reality.
Would not like to read you ever.
war with Pakistan and China are two different type of wars. According to Pakistani version — the war is continuation of war started to kill Kaffirs of India. It was started by Mohamd Bin Kasim in Sindh and many times Muslim invaders came and captured and dominated India while Hindus kept on fighting . So this war is matter of existence for the Hindus and the Hindu civilization and culture. Whereas northern borders have mostly remained calm and peaceful. The skirmish on northern borders started in mid 1950 s and there was a limited war in 1962. Since then there has been some episodic skirmishes but those did not degenerate in to full fledged war. Even the current hostilities seems to be result of present day Goe-politics arising as a outcome of Covid pandemic and possibility of trade war against China by USA and her allies and is not likely to lead to a bloody war. I am surprised to find that this much facts, trends are not known to authors , journalists writing at a political web site like ThePrint. The chief editor needs some well-informed writters.
True and Good Story
The print is slowly becoming the worst source of news or opinions or editorials India might have ever seen. Even Arnab Goswami’s ridiculous and laughable attempt at journalism is more bearable than reading anything on the print these days. The writer of this article Ms Bajpai is either profoundly dimwitted or is just a child playing at being an adult. One should consider the severity and seriousness of an issue before dishing out garbage like this.
Let it be China or anybody india will respond. May be china is powerful we cannot keep quiet even if it is defeat india will fight and damage them substantially. China can drag india 15 to 29 years backward but can also made them suffer and drag them at least 10 years backward, china knows it.
Obviously level of personal sentiments are more towards Pakistan than China.. you cant expect same thrill in India China cricket match as in India Pakistan match..news anchor just feed the viewers
The print should be renamed to : the communist print. Can’t understand why your butts are feeling the heat. Show some respect to India defence force veterans.
There is difference between China and Pakistan. China has not exchanged fire, has not sent terrorists, has not sponsered 26/11 and parliament attacks. Where as Pakistan wants to destroy India totaly. So, Pakistan is the top most enemy for India and Indian people.so as for the nationalist news channels. What about you ?