New Delhi, 12 June 2024: The Indian Journalists Union (IJU) has strongly condemned the Delhi Police’s retaliatory investigation into three journalists from ‘The Caravan’ magazine. The journalists were attacked by a mob in northeast Delhi in August 2020 while investigating alleged police misconduct during the Delhi riots. The IJU has urged the Delhi Police to drop the investigation and instead prosecute those who assaulted the journalists.
Sabina Inderjit, the Secretary General of the Indian Journalists Union (IJU), has been actively involved in promoting press freedom and ensuring the safety of journalists. Here are some key points about her recent activities:
Condemnation of Attacks on Journalists: Sabina Inderjit, along with IJU President Geetartha Pathak, has strongly condemned the recent attacks on journalists in India. They have called for action against those who issued death threats to a Nagpur journalist and demanded an inquiry into the incident where an ANI journalist was injured during clashes between rival political parties.
Election as FAPaJ President: Sabina Inderjit was elected as the President of the Federation of Asia Pacific Journalists (FAPaJ) with a thumping majority. This election highlights her prominent role in the journalism community and her commitment to promoting press freedom in the Asia-Pacific region.
Advocacy for Journalist Safety: As the Secretary General of IJU and Vice President of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), Sabina Inderjit has been vocal about the need to ensure the safety and security of journalists. She has emphasized that authorities must take immediate action to investigate incidents of violence against journalists and guarantee press freedom.
These developments demonstrate Sabina Inderjit’s dedication to protecting the rights of journalists and promoting a free and safe press environment.
The attack on the journalists, which included Shahid Tantray, Prabhjit Singh, and a female reporter, lasted for about 90 minutes and involved communal slurs, death threats, and sexual harassment. Despite the journalists filing complaints on the day of the incident, the Delhi Police lodged a First Information Report (FIR) against them based on a complaint by an unnamed woman. The police then registered the journalists’ FIR three days later, labeling it a “counter FIR.”
The IJU has criticized the police action, stating that it is an attempt to muzzle the press and silence dissenting voices. IJU President Geetartha Pathak and Secretary General Sabina Indrajit have called for an end to this practice, emphasizing that it is the duty of the police to protect journalists and ensure their safety while reporting on important issues.
The IJU’s condemnation comes amid growing concerns about declining press freedom in India, which has fallen to 161st place on the World Press Freedom Index in 2023. The organization has urged the Delhi Police to fulfill its duty fairly and without bias, ensuring that the FIR against the journalists is dismissed and the real perpetrators of the assault are brought to justice.
