New Delhi: Four media organisations have sharply criticised Delhi Police after several journalists were allegedly detained while reporting on protests demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The Press Club of India (PCI), Indian Women’s Press Corps (IWPC), Delhi Union of Journalists (DUJ) and the Delhi unit of the Kerala Union of Working Journalists issued a joint statement on Saturday, saying reporters were picked up even after showing their press identity cards. Some journalists also alleged that their mobile phones and professional equipment were taken away by police.
The organisations said the detentions occurred as police removed hundreds of protesters from the capital on Saturday. According to the statement, mediapersons covering the crackdown were put into buses and shifted to detention sites, including Chhatrasal Stadium and the Chanakyapuri police station.
Among those reportedly detained were journalists from The Quint, The Wire, Scroll, Reporter TV, Navbharat Times and Newslaundry, along with senior journalist Paranjoy Guha Thakurta, as reported by The New Indian Express.
“The reporters said they were detained while filming detentions, despite prominently displaying their press cards,” the statement said.
The bodies alleged that police refused to accept the journalists’ professional credentials. “Everybody claims to be a journalist these days,” some officers reportedly told the reporters.
The statement further claimed that official reporting phones used by detained journalists were snatched or seized during the police action.
Calling the incidents a “blatant attack on the freedom of press”, the organisations objected to reports that Delhi Police had said only journalists with Press Information Bureau (PIB) accreditation would be permitted to cover the protests.
“Press freedom in India cannot be conditional on PIB accreditation. A large section of digital and independent media does not have PIB cards, yet they are recognised press under the law,” the statement said.
The four bodies said they had earlier submitted a memorandum to the Delhi Police commissioner, but claimed their concerns were ignored.
They demanded the immediate and unconditional release of all detained journalists, restoration of confiscated phones and equipment, a public apology from Delhi Police and an inquiry into the role of senior officers who allegedly ordered the detentions despite press cards being shown.
The organisations also sought an assurance that reporters would not be obstructed from covering future protests.
Criticising the scale of security arrangements, they alleged that 22,000 police and paramilitary personnel were deployed, metro stations were shut and internet services were suspended to prevent demonstrations.
“Preventing journalists from doing their job, detaining them without reason, and creating a fortress-like situation in the capital with 22,000 police and paramilitary, closed metro stations and unprecedented internet shutdowns, to stop peaceful questioning of institutions is reminiscent of a fascist state,” the statement said.
The organisations expressed solidarity with the detained reporters and insisted that journalists must be able to perform their duties without fear, intimidation or interference.
