'Ilayaraja's Padma Vibhushan is Dalit outreach': English daily's headline sparks backlash

January 26, 2018 15:34

The Modi government's decision to award music composer Ilayaraja the Padma Vibhushan is "Dalit outreach," a leading English daily said Friday.

Ilayaraja's selection "is important against the backdrop of Dalit movements in Gujarat led by Jignesh Mevani and the Bhima Koregaon uprising of Maharashtra," the New Indian Express said in its Chennai edition.

Those words were printed beneath the most prominent headline on the front page: 'Dalit outreach with Ilayaraja's Padma.'

The story did not contain any quotes that might support such a conclusion from government sources or analysts. It drew criticism from several social media users, including a number of public figures.

Television anchor Sumanth Raman said the headline was "appalling."

A spokesperson for Ilayaraja declined to comment on the article.

One of India's most iconic composers, Ilayaraja already has a Padma Bhushan. This year, he is one of three recipients of the Padma Vibhushan, a civilian honour that is second only to the Bharat Ratna.

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