New Delhi: PTI reporter Lalit K. Jha was reportedly physically attacked and abused by Khalistan supporters while covering a pro-Khalistan protest outside the Indian embassy in Washington on Saturday (March 25). In a tweet, Jha thanked the US Secret Service for protecting him and ensuring that he could do his job, adding that otherwise he would be tweeting “from hospital”.
Thank you @SecretService 4 my protection 2day 4 helping do my job, otherwise I would have been writing this from hospital. The gentleman below hit my left ear with these 2 sticks & earlier I had to call 9/11 & rushed 2 police van 4 safety fearing physical assault👇. pic.twitter.com/IVcCeP5BPG
— Lalit K Jha ललित के झा (@lalitkjha) March 25, 2023
Jha told ANI that he felt threatened while covering the protest, and so called 911. “At one point I felt so threatened that I called 911. I then spotted Secret Service officers and narrated the incident to them,” he said.
“The pro-Khalistan protesters in support of Amritpal (Singh) waved Khalistan flags and descended upon the embassy in the presence of the US Secret Service. They even openly threatened to vandalise the embassy and threatened the Indian Ambassador Taranjit Singh Sandhu,” he continued.
Jha said he will not be pressing charges against those who heckled him.
The Indian embassy in the US has released a statement condemning the incident. “We have seen disturbing visuals of a senior Indian journalist from the Press Trust of India being abused, threatened & assaulted physically while covering so-called ‘Khalistan protest’ in Washington DC. We understand that the journalist was first verbally intimidated, then physically assaulted, and fearing for his personal safety and well-being, had to call in law enforcement agencies, who responded promptly,” the statement says.
“We condemn such a grave and unwarranted attack on a senior journalist. Such activities only underscore the violent and anti-social tendencies of the so-called ‘Khalistani protestors’ and their supporters, who routinely engage in wanton violence and vandalism. We thank the law enforcement agencies for their prompt response in the matter,” it continues.
US Congressman and Indian-American politician Ro Khanna too condemned the attack, calling Jha a fair and thoughtful journalist.
This violence against @lalitkjha is outrageous and an assault on journalism. I condemn it in the strongest terms. Lalit is one of the fairest and most thoughtful journalists. Thank you to our security for protecting Lalit and the diplomats and consulate. https://t.co/XrBhogInEo
— Ro Khanna (@RoKhanna) March 26, 2023