A strong appeal for national unity, fearless journalism, and moral responsibility marked the release of Opinions, Welcome and Unwelcome: Impressions of an Edit Page Editor at the Constitution Club of India on Monday evening. The event brought together senior journalists, political leaders, and media thinkers to reflect on democracy, public discourse, and the evolving role of the press.
The book was released by Sunil Shastri, former Member of Parliament and son of former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri. Calling the current situation “very, very critical,” he warned against divisive forces fragmenting society and distracting citizens from development and national welfare. Recalling his father’s slogan “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan,” Shastri stressed unity beyond religion or caste and urged courage, honesty, and collective responsibility to safeguard India’s moral fabric.
Guest of Honour Harikesh Bahadur highlighted the author’s journey from proofreader to editor, shaped by perseverance and integrity. He recalled that during the Emergency, the author’s newspaper was shut down, yet he continued striving and later spent over two decades leading editorial pages. Bahadur expressed concern that today’s media climate discourages fearless reporting, alleging that inconvenient truths are sometimes suppressed through stringent laws such as the National Security Act and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. Though no formal Emergency exists, he suggested “emergency-like” conditions affect journalistic freedom.
Salim Engineer, Chairman of the Board of Islamic Publications and associated with Radiance Viewsweekly, described the editorial page as the “soul” of a newspaper. He cautioned that commercial pressures increasingly threaten editorial independence, urging journalists to protect credibility and democratic values.
Author Syed Nooruzzaman said the memoir reflects more than five decades in journalism, particularly his 21 years overseeing an editorial page. The title, he explained, captures how opinion pieces may be welcomed or resisted. He described editorial leadership as “a crown of thorns,” demanding discipline and moral clarity. Though delayed after his 2013 retirement, the book was completed with encouragement from colleagues.
Political columnist Ashwini Bhatnagar spoke on editorial independence, recalling moments when bold headlines challenged dominant narratives. While noting concerns about a perceived “undeclared Emergency,” he also highlighted a positive trend: since 2015, journalists have increasingly authored books documenting contemporary history.
Other speakers, including senior journalists and media leaders, echoed calls for truth, courage, and collective responsibility. Organised by The New Thinker Media Trust, the evening concluded as both a tribute to a distinguished career and a broader reflection on journalism’s enduring mission to question, inform, and uphold the public interest.
