Press Statement

INDIA: IJU CONCERNED OVER ATTACK ON TWO JOURNALISTS IN HIMACHAL & PUNJAB

21 Oct, 2024

New Delhi, 15 October 2024: The Indian Journalists Union (IJU) expresses grave concern over the filing of an FIR against Sunil Chadha of ‘The Newz Radar’ in Himachal Pradesh and a murderous attack on Ramesh Behl, journalist and President Shaheed Bhagat Singh Press Association Regd, in Punjab. The two cases said IJU, must be viewed as an assault on freedom of expression and stifling press freedom, and justice for the journalists must be demanded.

According to reports, the Himachal Pradesh police filed an FIR against Sunil Chadha, Executive Editor of online portal ‘The Newz Radar’ following a complaint by a Shimla resident Sandeep Aukta, alleging that Chadha’s report, a ‘critique on financial management of Congress government and an analysis of party’s defeat in Haryana Assembly elections, was aimed to damage Congress leaders’ reputation.’ While his report was balanced, quoting both the Opposition BJP and Chief Minister Sukhu, the FIR said the IJU appears politically motivated.

In the other incident, Ramesh Behl was grievously injured (multiple fractures on his legs and arms) in an attack in Batala (Gurdaspur district) by five people, two of which he identified as associates of AAP MLA Sherry Kalsi, for ‘raising the issue of disrespecting the Tricolour, some time back in Batala.’ Kalsi has denied the allegations. In a video from his hospital bed, which went viral, Behl appealed to the judiciary for justice, saying he had attacked three times before and had given a sworn statement to Batala SSP, who took no action.=

In a statement, IJU President and former member of Press Council of India Geetartha Pathak and Secretary General and Vice President of the International Federation of Journalists Sabina Inderjit said that in Chadha’s case, the Himachal government must withdraw the FIR. In Behl’s case, Batala police must apprehend the culprits, and MLAs must learn to respect the freedom of the media. The safety and security of journalists and press freedom must be paramount in any democracy, and the respective governments must ensure these are followed in both letter and spirit.

Sabina Inderjit

Secretary General

 

Written By

Indian Journalists' Union Indian Journalists' Union

F-29, Shankar Market Connaught Circus, New Delhi 110001 Telephone +91 9810889396

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