F-Word & More: Telegraph Editor Alleges ‘Intimidation’ by Supriyo

Supriyo allegedly told the editor that he was speaking to a “central minister”, and recording their conversation

Babul Supriyo at Jadavpur University in Kolkata on 19 Sepember. 

(Photo: PTI)

Following the ruckus in Kolkata's Jadavpur University involving BJP MP Babul Supriyo, the editor of news daily The Telegraph has accused the Union minister of using "intimidation tactics" over a telephone conversation.

According to an article published in the Kolkata-based English daily, Supriyo allegedly called R Rajagopal, the editor of The Telegraph, asking for an apology over the newspaper's reporting of the incidents.

The interaction, however, escalated and, according to Rajagopal’s account, Supriyo used the F-word, asking him if he was “sold out”.

WHAT SPARKED THE ISSUE?

According to a The Telegraph report, Supriyo called Rajagopal on Saturday evening, asking for an "amicable apology", following a tweet by the minister where he threatened to sue the daily for "false reporting".

Supriyo, in the tweet, had said that the newspaper reported that he had elbowed a student, whereas he himself was "manhandled".

Speaking on the phone, Rajagopal said that the newspaper had not published any such report and refused to apologise. He also asked the minister to send "a letter or a legal notice", the report said.

WHERE DID THE F-WORD COME FROM?

As the editor stayed firm on his stand of not apologising, Supriyo allegedly told Rajagopal that he was speaking to a "central minister", further asking him, "“Aren’t you a gentleman?"

The editor then is said to have responded saying, "I am not a gentleman, I am a journalist…. You may be a central minister, but I am also a citizen of this country.”

Supriyo also raised an objection on the newspaper's front page headline on the day after the Jadavpur University incident, which read, "Babull at JU”.

As the editor gave a justification for the same, Supriyo allegedly said, ““Are you sold out? Are you f***ing sold out?”, the report said, adding that the minister used “at least one more expletive”.

According to The Telegraph, Supriyo also told the editor that the conversation is being recorded, to which the editor asked him to upload the conversation.

Following the reported conversation, Supriyo tweeted again alleging Rajagopal of using "filthy lingo".

JOURNALISTS CALL OUT SUPRIYO’S ACT

The Telegraph’s report prompted several journalists to call out Supriyo’s alleged conduct and they took to Twitter to voice their opinion.

(With inputs from The Telegraph)