Almora: A fresh controversy has emerged over the ongoing Kumaon Mahotsav in Almora after the President of the Shri Ram Samiti and Kumaon Mahotsav Organising Committee, Rajendra Tiwari, submitted a written complaint to the District Magistrate alleging that two alleged journalists were attempting to defame the event and mentally harass the organisers.
According to the complaint, the festival, being held at the GIC Ground, features cultural performances, children’s competitions and several social activities with the support of local organisations, volunteers and community members.
The organising committee has alleged that certain individuals posing as journalists have been highlighting shortcomings of the event in an exaggerated manner and creating a negative atmosphere against the organisers through media reports and social media platforms.
The complaint further claims that the organisers were subjected to unnecessary pressure for personal interests and that similar incidents had allegedly occurred during previous public events as well.
Rajendra Tiwari stated in the complaint that Almora has a long-standing tradition of responsible and public-oriented journalism. He alleged that the conduct of a few individuals was damaging the credibility of the wider journalistic community.
The committee has requested the District Magistrate to conduct an impartial inquiry and initiate appropriate action if the allegations are found to be true. Copies of the complaint have also been forwarded to the Senior Superintendent of Police, the District Information Officer and the Almora Press Club.
However, it is important to note that these allegations represent only one side of the dispute. The response of the journalists named in the complaint was not available at the time of filing this report.
The matter has sparked a broader discussion in Almora regarding journalistic ethics, accountability and the balance between media scrutiny and the smooth conduct of public events. The actual facts will become clear only after an official inquiry and after all concerned parties are given an opportunity to present their versions.
