India, June 16 -- The Constitutional bodies are independent and insulated against arbitrary actions of the Executive. The pillars of democracy - the Legislature, Judiciary, and the Press - are expected to be neutral and non-partisan in discharging their duties, as their appointments, tenure, and service conditions do not depend on the whims and fancies of the government. According to the fundamental Right to Freedom, as outlined in Article 19(1)(a), the Press is free. A free Press is a sine qua non to check the abuse of power by the Executive and the bureaucracy.

However, the government of the day doesn't honour the provisions of the Constitution, and the institutions are under pressure to act according to its diktats. They have quickly ...