It’s a wonder this column survived in an era when freedom of the press is no longer guaranteed, and owners, fearing raids and cases, often rein in the few feisty journalists who are still doing their job

A few thought-provoking Monday Blues columns that ignited meaningful conversations

It’s tempting to write an obituary of Monday Blues, which will gasp for breath one last time, and then die, unceremoniously and unlamented, as soon as you finish reading today its last instalment. I will, however, confine myself to crediting mid-day for mostly allowing me to freely articulate my opinions, including even those that are anathema to the ruling regime, which smells and sifts media outputs with the diligence and ferocity of a watchdog. Not your fault in case you think I’m being ironical.

Journalist friends would ask, “How come you are allowed to write what you do?” Surprising as this question is in a democracy, I’d be reminded of American journalist AJ Liebling, who famously said, “Freedom of the press is guaranteed only to those who own one.” The owners, indeed, decide the extent of freedom journalists working for him/her should enjoy. I’ve enjoyed utmost freedom to date.

Yet, ever since Prime Minister Narendra Modi swept to power, in May 2014, the freedom of the press is no longer guaranteed to even owners. Ask Anuradha Bhasin and Prabodh Jamwal, the wife-husband duo who owns and edits the Kashmir Times, which had its life taken out, bit by bit, by denying it........

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