All you need to know about VK Singh's 'presstitutes' remark, and Katju's penchant for controversy

On Tuesday, MoS External Affairs General VK Singh waded into another controversy, when he called the news media 'presstitutes'. Following this, everyone from Opposition parties to ex-Press Council of India chairman Markandey Katju have reacted to the remark. The controversy, though superficial, refuses to die a silent death. Here's all you need to know about it.

Where did the controversy begin?

The controversy began when VK Singh, given to strange comments, said to a news channel that visiting the Pakistan High Commission was 'more exciting' than evacuating Indians from Yemen. The comment was tagged as insensitive by media outlets and social media, kickstarting a controversy.

What happened next?

VK Singh seemingly took offence to the outrage in the media, labelling the media 'presstitutes' in a tweet.

Friends what do you you expect from presstitutes. Last time Arnab thought there was 'O' in place of 'E' #TimesNowDisaster

— Vijay Kumar Singh (@Gen_VKSingh) April 7, 2015

'Presstitutes', a play on 'prostitutes' and 'press', was an oblique allegation that the media tailors or twists news to fit a particular agenda.
 

What was the reaction to Singh's tweet?

Several Opposition parties reacted sharply to Singh's remark. Bihar CM and JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar slammed Singh and called for respecting media freedom. Congress went so far as to call for Singh's sacking from the Union cabinet, and posted a series of tweets on its official handle.

.@Gen_VKSingh's statement shows utter intolerance and incapacity to hear any kind of criticism or dissent pic.twitter.com/uVKQf6qI0c

— INC India (@INCIndia) April 8, 2015

We strongly condemn the disgraceful remarks by @Gen_VKSingh on the 4th pillar of Democracy : @khushsundar

— INC India (@INCIndia) April 8, 2015

This is not new, PM calls Media as "Baazaru"and his Minister calls them #Presstitutes : @khushsundar

— INC India (@INCIndia) April 8, 2015

Sanjay Jha eloquently criticised VK Singh.

General VK Singh's choice of dreadful terms to attack Indian media is not just politically inappropriate but seriously lamentable. #Disgust

— Sanjay Jha (@JhaSanjay) April 8, 2015

The ruling BJP on the other hand, was quick to distance itself from VK Singh's comments, with spokesperson Sambit Patra making a vague reference to democracy and the party choosing to focus on praising the government for its rescue efforts in Yemen.
 

What is Markandey Katju's stance on the matter?

Ex-Press Council of India chairman Markandey Katju has been in the limelight for making controversial statements of late. On Thursday, his Facebook post essentially supported VK Singh. Katju claimed that controversies like paid news and the Radia tapes showed that the media was corrupt. 

What other controversies has Katju found himself in?

Katju infamously labelled Mahatma Gandhi a 'British agent' and Subhash Chandra Bose a 'Japanese agent' last month, earning criticism across the political spectrum and social media space, as well as condemnation from both Houses of Parliament.

In January, Katju opined that Shazia Ilmi was a better BJP candidate than Kiran Bedi for the post of Delhi CM, because of her 'good looks'.

I regard Shazia Ilmi much more beautiful than Kiran Bedi. If Shazia had been made their C.M. candidate BJP wud have definitely won the Delhi

— Markandey Katju (@mkatju) January 30, 2015

In December 2014, Katju earned the ire of the LGBT community when he said that gay relationships could not honour 'nature's requirement of continuing the species'. In the same Facebook post, the former PCI chairman had also made allegedly sexist remarks about the role of women in society.

Last year, he had also invited hostility from Muslims for labeling the Muslim Personal Law 'barbaric', and criticism from the Shiv Sena when he called Sachin Tendulkar's Bharat Ratna award a 'disgrace to the country'.