New Delhi, 21 February (HS). The National Union of Journalists (India), Delhi Journalists Association and NUJ Uttar Pradesh protested at Jantar Mantar in Delhi on Wednesday against the beating of a journalist in the presence of former Uttar Pradesh Congress president Rahul Gandhi. Journalist organizations have demanded strict action against the Congressmen who beat up India News correspondent Shivprasad Yadav in Rae Bareli (Uttar Pradesh).
NUJ(I) national president Rash Bihari, general secretary Pradeep Tiwari, national organization minister Pramod Goswami, Delhi Journalists Association president Rakesh Thapliyal and NUJ Uttar Pradesh president Virendra Saxena said in a joint statement that the India News correspondent had met the Congress leader. Rahul Gandhi was asked a question about Samajwadi Party President Akhilesh Yadav and Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi not attending the yatra. It is possible that Rahul Gandhi may be angry with Akhilesh Yadav, but why was his anger vented on the journalist.
Rash Bihari said that in democracy, leaders of political parties have got freedom of speech and media has got the right to ask questions. He said that it seems that Congress leaders are repeatedly insulting the media due to their declining support base. The Congress high command needs to train its spokespersons and leaders to give correct answers when asked questions.
NUJ general secretary Pradeep Tiwari said that journalists were also beaten up at the Congress office in Bhopal. NUJ Uttar Pradesh President Virendra Saxena said that a large-scale movement will be launched in Uttar Pradesh against attacks on media persons.
NUJ national organization minister Pramod Goswami said cases would be raised in the Press Council of India regarding attacks on media persons in Uttar Pradesh. DJA President Rakesh Thapliyal said that a memorandum will soon be submitted to the Union Home Minister regarding the increasing attacks on journalists, demanding action against the culprits.