New Delhi: Journalists belonging to various media organisations protested outside the Delhi Police headquarters here on Saturday demanding strict action against the police personnel accused of assaulting and molesting media persons during the lathi charge on students and teachers from Jawaharlal Nehru University the previous day.
In a joint statement issued by Press Club of India, the Indian Womens Press Corps, the Press Association and Federation of Press Clubs in India, immediate action against the involved officers was demanded.
The protesters also demanded that the police commissioner hear their grievances.
One of the protesting journalists, who did not want to be named, said, “What happened yesterday was not only shocking but scary. It shows the lack of discipline among police personnel who enforce law and order in the city… It is especially worse for women reporters.”
Addressing the protesters, special commissioner of police Dependra Pathak said, “An independent inquiry has been initiated by the vigilance unit. It will be completed in two-three days and action will be taken accordingly.”
The officer did not respond when he was asked why FIRs had not been registered so far.
Photo-journalists from various organisations surrender their cameras in symbolic protest outside the police headquarters against the alleged groping and manhandling of two female journalists by the Delhi Police in New Delhi, on Saturday. Credit: PTI/Ravi Choudhary.
JNU students and faculty have also condemned the violent manner in which the police sought to disperse a peaceful march. Students alleged that the police assaulted some of the protestors after they had been made to get into police buses.
This is the second time in two years that journalists in the capital have been compelled to protest against the police. In February 2016, journalists organised a march against the police for failing to prevent BJP and Hindutva activists from assaulting reporters who were covering the Kanhaiya Kumar case at the Patiala House court.
A number of journalists who took part in Saturday’s protest tweeted their anger:
Strength lies in standing united. Overwhelming support pour out for @anu_fadnavis & many others who were man-handled,roughed up, molested by @DelhiPolice while covering protests.We cannot be attacked for doing our jobs! Take action against SHO responsible @CPDelhi @rajnathsingh pic.twitter.com/atdxcPyMUU
— Samia Kapoor (@iSamiakapoor) March 24, 2018
Don't shout, listen to what I am saying, says CPRO Deepender Pathak when confronted by protesting journalists, including @mausamii2u. So, a police that was inviting us for a Chai pr Charcha is now down to threatening journos. Share Max. pic.twitter.com/ajAbpxLtf1
— Prashant Kumar (@scribe_prashant) March 24, 2018
They snatched the cameras yesterday, media surrenders it's cameras by themselves today. While there's no action against the erring cops till now, Delhi Police requests us to clear the PHQ ASAP. #UnitedJournos pic.twitter.com/gzLNe0rzGc
— Prashant Kumar (@scribe_prashant) March 24, 2018
camera down, standing in solidarity, the community comes together to seek answers and action for yesterday’s indecent on our fellow photojournalist @anu_fadnavis … #timetospeakandseek pic.twitter.com/7HZyYL4LQE
— Ashish Sharma (@sashish2) March 24, 2018
@IPSMadhurVerma @DelhiPolice @narendramodi @PMOIndia @rajnathsingh shame on you.. come out and face us. We are outside! pic.twitter.com/tQbmAJNYyR
— Chandan Khanna (@Chandanphoto) March 24, 2018
Combined effort, unity in the time of need and a univocal protest compel @DelhiPolice to tender apology in the journalists' manhandling case. Cheers to all the friends in media fraternity. "Tu bol ki lab aazad hain tere". pic.twitter.com/iOMWbXpzkh
— Prashant Kumar (@scribe_prashant) March 24, 2018