NEW DELHI: A large number of journalists from newspapers, magazines and electronic media marched silently in a procession to the Prime Minister’s residence on Jan.J3 to protest against the “blatant attacks on Muslim journalists in Bombay,” during the current communal riots.
The newspersons marched under the banner of the Indian Journalists Union (JU) and the Delhi Union of Journalists (DUJ) assembled at the Press Club of India at Raisina Road and started marching to the Prime Minister’s residence. The marchers who camied placards and banners were, however, stopped by police near Gol Methi Chowkand not allowed to proceed to the Prime Minister’s residence. They submitted a memorandum to a police official to hand it over to the PM’s office, where they demanded that “any losses that may have occurred” should be met “through suitable compensation.
Those who joined the march, included the UU President Suresh Prasad Akhouri, DUJ President
Anand K.Sahay, Delhi Newspaper Employees Federation President Santosh Kumar, former Navbharat Times Executive EditorS.P.Singh and Press Association General Secretary S.S.Banyal.
The UU and the DUJ urged the Prime Minister to take urgent steps ensuring journalists’ safely in Bombay and elsewhere especially to those belonging to the minorities.
Earlier addressing the media persons at the Press club, the DUJ President Suresh Akhourt noted that it was perhaps the first time that “such blatant and cynical attacks on members of the fourth estate.” DUJ President Anand K.Sahay said it was a “deep-rooted conspiracy” to divide the fourth estate on communal lines.
Article extracted from this publication >> January 22, 1993
