After The Times of India caused a Twitter storm of sorts for inviting former editor of Tehelka magazine Tarun Tejpal to its literature festival, the news organisation withdrew its invitation on Monday.
The TOI Litfest director, Bachi Karkaria, tweeted “We have asked Tarun Tejpal to drop out of the TOI Litfest. We’ve got a great program & we don’t want it hijacked by extraneous noise”.
Tejpal was invited by TOI to talk about “The Tyranny of Power”. Ever since the invite became public knowledge, a barrage of tweets aimed at TOI and Tarun Tejpal ensured that #TOIlitfest and Tarun Tejpal became the most trending topic of this week.
The “extraneous noise” apparently made TOI to buckle under social media pressure. How Twitter reacted to TOI rescinding the offer? We take a look
What? Is this some kind of a sick joke? Tarun Tejpal is on a panel of #ToiLitFest? This is the “Liberal” definition of feminism & justice?
— Smita Barooah (@smitabarooah) November 22, 2014
@bachikarkaria Interesting that it’s the “noise” that bothers you, not the seriousness of the charges.
— Sadanand Dhume (@dhume) November 24, 2014
Read about the serious charges that Tarun Tejpal is facing – Non-bailable warrant against Tarun Tejpal
So Tarun Tejpal going to speak on “Tyranny of Power” at Times Litfest? He getting a platform like this in itself is “tyranny of power” #sad
— Pradeep Menon (@MenonPradeep76) November 22, 2014
Tarun Tejpal to receive #Sainthood from Media fraternity at #ToiLitFest
— shilpi tewari (@shilpitewari) November 24, 2014
The only reason why I see Tarun Tejpal has been invited to speak, is to fan some controversy and gain mileage for the event.
— Gabbbarsingh (@GabbbarSingh) November 23, 2014
Guys relax, TOI has kept all events at ground floor even Tarun Tejpal’s room is at the ground floor. #TOIlitfest
— plz praise my blog (@indiantweeter) November 22, 2014
In case of Tarun Tejpal, “Do not use LIFT, use STAIRS” In the Public interest. #TejpalReturns pic.twitter.com/2GNOARCJnw
— Darpan (@supportnmforpm) November 22, 2014
Dear TOI, you have invited Tarun Tejpal.. Thats fine Just make sure all elevators are shut down when he comes to the venue
— Champ-u-terology (@BolshoyBooze) November 23, 2014
Source : The Indian Express
