Subhas Chandra Pattanayak
Private TV channel ETV, busy in promoting religious revivalism, has taken advantage of a train accident to spread superstitions amongst its viewers.
Chennai-bound 2481 Up Howrah-Coromandel Express derailed near Jajpur Road railway station last night. The train was in uncontrollable high speed when 15 of the 24-coach super fast express derailed. The impact even catapulted six of the coaches while killing at least 16 and injuring more than 200 passengers, as many as 25 of them quite critically.
The cause of the catastrophe is under investigation. But ETV is busy in spreading superstitions. It has focused profusely in its 14th February 9 PM news bulletin on views of two Brahmins, a widow and a man, both with the Panda surname, to view the accident as an act of evil spirit. There was a similar accident at the same spot a few years ago, they say and simultaneously suggest that steps should be taken up to perform special puja to propitiate the spirit.
What next!