Tarun Tejpal wrong in politicising Tehelka sexual assault case: N Ram

Zee Media Bureau

Chennai: Former editor of ‘The Hindu’ newspaper, N Ram, on Thursday hit out at Tehelka editor Tarun Tejpal and managing editor Shoma Chaudhury in the sexual assault case of a woman journalist. Ram said it was not right for Tejpal to politicise the issue by calling it BJP vendetta. Tejpal bringing politics into the issue is behaviour of a desperate man who has been cornered, Ram said. “Tejpal is terribly wrong in saying BJP is prejudiced against him. It is totally unacceptable. He brought partisan politics into it,” he added. “I am sure Tarun Tejpal will be arrested. People have been arrested for much less. Police have done a thorough job,” the veteran journalist said further. Ram described the woman journalist as “an excellent reporter and brave”. “Her statement is very precise. She has everybody`s support. The entire media has shown solidarity with the journalist,” the noted journalist said. Commenting on Shoma’s resignation early this morning, Hindu’s ex-editor said, “There is no excuse for what she did, she was aware of the laws.” It may be noted that Shoma has been criticised for not reporting the matter to police and register an FIR. “Shoma Chaudhury is a well informed person. She knew the amended (rape) law. There is no excuse for her to not have taken action,” Ram said. “This is disgraceful, there will be legal repercussions. Tehelka is in trouble. This could be the last nail... but I hope not,” he added. Another senior journalist Neerja Chowdhury echoed Ram’s views, saying politicising the Tehelka sexual assault case is wrong. “The case is strong in itself, it’s a public issue,” she said.