We have been now accustomed to seeing a section of foreign media often use charitable terms like “gunman” or “attacker” instead of the more direct “terrorist” in certain circumstances. Today, The Times of India too joined the ranks of such media houses by using the words “rebels”, and just “men” to describe LeT terrorists who ambushed CRPF personnel in Pampore in a Fidayeen attack.
On Saturday in a major strike, eight CRPF personnel were killed and at least 20 others injured when LeT terrorists attacked their convoy on the Srinagar-Jammu national highway near Pampore town in south Kashmir on Saturday. Claiming responsibility for the attack, the Lashkar-e-Toiba said it was carried out by a two-member fidayeen squad. The Lashkar spokesman also warned of similar attacks in future.
While the web version of the story, which was based on a PTI report clearly called them “terrorists”, the print edition had different headlines:
It is important to note that in the body of the above story, Times Of India did call the attackers as terrorists, but the headline irked many on social media:
This what happens when you leave your ‘Porn’ expertise & try to become expert in other field. ‘LeT rebels’ pic.twitter.com/05e9NnKtQx
— ओमर अब्दुल्लाह (@abdullah_0mar) June 26, 2016
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LeT rebels/men? And not terrorists? Really TOI? What happening @vineetjaintimes? pic.twitter.com/eYEyNVvcnI
— हम भारत के लोग (@India_Policy) June 26, 2016
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.@timesofindia Ahmdbd think LeT as “rebels” while 4 other editions they r simply “men”.Who r known as TERRORISTS? pic.twitter.com/fAGU3NIjRr
— Pankaj Kaushal (@pkaushal_99) June 26, 2016
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LeT Rebels …. Are you serious @vineetjaintimes @timesofindia ???????? pic.twitter.com/qvp4GQxOTV
— Navroop Singh (@s_navroop) June 26, 2016
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Hey @timesofindia ,how can u call LeT terrorists “rebels” when few days back Hafiz Saeed announced “Ghazwa e Hind”? pic.twitter.com/liX8NhcBnL
— Divya Kumar Soti (@DivyaSoti) June 26, 2016
Next step: “Kashmir freedom fighters ambushed zaalim occupation forces of India’.
Coming soon from @vineetjaintimes. pic.twitter.com/dHH8Qvovwc— iMac_too (@iMac_too) June 26, 2016
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Some even demanded that the Information and Broadcasting ministry take action against Times of India:
Dear @Gen_VKSingh @Ra_THORe @narendramodi @rajnathsingh the Toi front page calling LET pigs rebels shud b boiling ur blood take action
— Biswajeet Dash (@biswajeetdash) June 26, 2016
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Our Lads getting Martyred against LeT pigs & this @timesofindia calls them Rebels on Front Page. Any action @narendramodi & @arunjaitley ??
— Navroop Singh (@s_navroop) June 26, 2016
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Yes. I&B ministry can at least issue an advisory. Else things will move towards 26/11 kind of coverage https://t.co/prgVL8Dr8n
— Divya Kumar Soti (@DivyaSoti) June 26, 2016
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