Darshan Mondkar

I thought I wouldn’t write about this. But then, I have never been someone who lets disrespect slide. Today, during the Chalo Dilli, I had a rather bitter experience at Gate No. 3 of Ramlila Maidan. Since it was designated as the media entry gate, I headed there. Upon arrival, I was asked to produce a pass issued by the Congress or the Indian Youth Congress, I don’t remember which organisation they mentioned exactly. My Press ID wasn’t enough. I had no clue about this requirement. Had I known, I would have tried to get one in advance. My bad! The police personnel allowed me to proceed towards the gate, but the IYC/Congress workers refused to let me enter without the pass. Those who had one were being allowed in. Then I saw @NayakRagini and requested her to help me. She heard me but said I wouldn’t be allowed without the pass. Fair enough. Then I saw a prominent YouTube journalist, whom Congress supporters often troll for her brand of “balanced journalism”, entering through the same gate, escorted by someone. If I’m not mistaken, she wasn’t wearing any such pass either. I approached a few other Congress workers. I explained that I work independently and that things are already difficult for journalists like me. One of them responded condescendingly, “Don’t teach me journalism.” I didn’t want to create a scene. I was there for a larger cause and chose not to argue. When I said I didn’t know that I was supposed to collect such a pass from a Congress office, someone else remarked, “Kabhi humare daftar aaoge toh pata chal jaayega.” I was genuinely infuriated by that jibe. Another suggested I could go back to the streets because I would find enough content there. I don’t need to go inside. Lol. Here’s my point. Fine, I was clueless. Perhaps I missed a social media notice about collecting a pass from a Congress office beforehand. My bad. But was there actually any such social media post? Someone can enlighten me. Why should journalists have to visit a political party’s office to collect an entry pass for such an important event? And shouldn’t the principal opposition party, or the Opposition as a whole, have a media help desk at the venue to assist journalists who missed advance registration? That Congress worker who told me not to teach him journalism should perhaps reserve that advice for some of the Godi media anchors and soft-Godi independent YouTube journalists the party continues to engage with, despite their one-sided narratives and repeated humiliation of its leaders. And the worker who suggested I go back to the streets should know that I was there doing serious journalism. My journalism is 200 times more serious and rooted in integrity than that of some celebrity YouTube journalists who were allowed inside without the pass. I wish some of these Congress workers could learn a little humility from @RahulGandhi . Eventually, I managed to enter through Gate No. 2 and reach the area I wanted to cover. Had they not let me in through any gate, I would still have found a way. I would have climbed a tree if I had to! I may be a small independent journalist, but my passion and love for this profession know no bounds. And this isn’t the first time. At last December’s Congress Maha Rally at Ramlila Maidan, I faced a similar difficulty with the entry arrangements. @LambaAlka happened to be standing there. I approached her, showed her my microphone and requested entry. She immediately instructed the security personnel to let me in. That’s called grace, courtesy and humility. (1/2) @INCIndia @IYC