MPJ Condemns Delhi Police Lathi-Charge on Muslim Women Journalists, Demands Independent Probe
MPJ accuses police of acting like BJP henchmen, says attack on journalists is attack on democracy and press freedom
PRODDATUR – AP: Doruvu Paul Jagan Babu – Assistant Chief Editor: The Movement for Peace and Justice (MPJ) has strongly condemned the alleged lathi-charge by Delhi Police on Muslim women journalists who were performing their professional duties in Delhi, calling it an attack on democracy, press freedom and women’s dignity.
‘Police acting in partisan manner’
MPJ said such incidents lend credence to serious allegations that Delhi Police, instead of acting impartially to uphold the law, is acting like goons of the BJP in favour of political forces belonging to the ruling party.
Lathi-charging women journalists who were discharging their professional responsibilities is unacceptable in a democratic country, the organization said, adding that suppressing questioning voices and dispersing protests with force, especially dealing harshly with women from minority communities, does not behove a democracy.
Police accountable to Constitution, not political party
MPJ asserted that Delhi Police must be accountable to the Constitution and the law, and not act as servants of any political party or those in power. The police system should be loyal to the Constitution, not to politics.
The organization demanded an immediate, independent and impartial inquiry into the incident and stringent action against the responsible police officers.
Five demands raised by MPJ
1. A comprehensive and impartial inquiry should be conducted into the lathi-charge incident on Muslim women journalists.
2. Legal action should be taken against the police officers responsible.
3. Adequate medical assistance and justice should be provided to the injured women journalists.
4. Security should be ensured for journalists across the country, especially women journalists, so they can perform their profession without fear.
5. Freedom of the press and constitutional rights should be protected.
‘Police should show restraint’
Stating that using police force to suppress dissent and stifle questioning voices is not good for democracy, MPJ said the police, who are supposed to enforce the law, should act with restraint and responsibility towards women, especially journalists performing their professional duties.
MPJ called upon every citizen to raise their voice for the protection of women’s dignity, press freedom and democratic rights.
The statement was issued after a meeting in which MPJ State General Secretary Saleem, District President Zakir Umri, Town President Hussain Basha, Vice-President Nazeer Ahmed, and Secretary Mohammed Rafi participated.
