Aurangabad, May 24: In the wake of 135 journalists succumbing to Coronavirus in Maharashtra and the state turning a blind eye to the demand of recognising them as front line warriors, the scribes in the state will soon meet the Governor, NCP president Sharad Pawar and Congress president Nana Patole in this regard, Chief Trustee of Marathi Press Council said.
In his statement, Mr S M Deshmukh said that an online tribute meeting was organised on behalf of the Marathi Press Council to pay homage to the late journalists last night.
Speaking during the meeting, Mr Deshmukh said, “All the organizations should come together and put the pressure on the government.”
Deshmukh clarified that the decision will be taken after discussing with the lawyers as well as some senior journalists.
All the journalists present expressed their indignation over the government’s refusal to accept even the petty demands of journalists, despite the persistent casualties among journalists in the state, and urged them to take an aggressive stance against the government, he added.
TV journalist Association president Vinod Jagdale said, “The Fadnavis government had taken some important decisions like journalist pension, journalist protection law but the present government has not solved any problem of journalists during its tenure.”
President of Vidhimandal Varthahar Sangh Mandar Parkar suggested that journalists should help the needy journalists by raising funds .
BUJ general secretary Inderkumar Jain said that on behalf of BUJ needy journalists are being treated and the relatives of the deceased journalists are being provided assistance.

Narendra Kothekar, editor of Navshakti, accused the government of being indifferent and direction less towards the issues of journalists.
Raja Adate, editor of Navrashtra, suggested that a front of journalists’ unions should be formed to put pressure on the government.

Journalists should come together, said Prasad Kathe, editor of Jaya Maharashtra, even if the government does not take a decision despite 12 ministers having written letters.

He expressed his view that those who respect the democratic majority should not be disrespected.
Media expert Sameeran Walvekar suggested that journalists’ associations should forget their differences and come together and vaccinate themselves without relying on the government.
Today’s editor Sahil Joshi stressed on the need for journalists to come together.

Gajanan Naik expressed anger over the neglect of questions, Kiran Naik, a trustee of the council, also stressed the need for all organizations to come together and take an aggressive stance.
Several journalists watched the meeting and expressed their views.(UNI)