NewsClick row: Protests held in Hyderabad over journalists' arrest in Delhi
Over 200 protestors had gathered in support of press freedom which included activists, journalists, retired professors from Osmania University, farmers’ groups
By Sulogna Mehta Published on 5 Oct 2023 1:06 PM GMT
Hyderabad: Protesting against the police raids at the NewsClick office in Delhi and arbitrary arrests of several journalists, activists and public from various walks of life conducted a protest march on Thursday morning in the city. It began at Desoddharaka Bhavan, Basheerbagh and culminated at Ambedkar Statue, Tankbund.
Over 200 protestors had gathered in support of press freedom. They included activists, journalists, retired professors from Osmania University, farmers’ groups and so on. They carried placards which read, ‘Save Journalism, Save Democracy,’ ‘Condemn Delhi Police Action,’ ‘Say No to Repression,’ etc.
One of the well-known activists from the city, Jasveen Jairath said, “Eve teasers or those who harass women are let off but those who speak the truth, they are silenced and terrorized by the government.” Referring to the Prime Minister, she further said, “When China takes our land, the government does not react but when Chinese companies invest crores of rupees in your friend Adani’s businesses, you don’t mind. You can come and check our houses and send us all to jail. We are ready.”
Environment activist Imran Siddiqui said, “In order to show our solidarity with the press and voice our concern towards curtailing press freedom, we had gathered for the protest march. Police or the authorities did not intervene and let us conduct our meeting but we dispersed after around 45 minutes when a political party came to the venue with their own agenda and issues.”
The incident in Delhi has drawn nationwide flak from journalists, activists and intellectuals. Protest meets are being held across Delhi. Journalists have also written to the Chief Justice of India (CJI) requesting the judiciary’s intervention to put an end to the repression and invocation of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) against the media. The news portal’s founder Prabir Purkayastha and its HR head Amit Chakraborty were recently arrested under the UAPA. Homes of several journalists were raided and many were interrogated for hours.
