Journalist assaulted in Kathua during BJP protest over Pahalgam attack
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Jammu: A senior journalist was hospitalised following an alleged assault while covering a BJP protest against the Pahalgam terror attack in Kathua district, Jammu and Kashmir, on Wednesday.
The incident, which occurred at Kalibari Chowk, has sparked outrage among journalistic circles, who have condemned the attack on Dainik Jagran reporter Rakesh Sharma and called for an FIR to be filed against those responsible.
A video allegedly capturing the assault on journalist Rakesh Sharma has gone viral on social media. Sharma stated that he was covering a BJP protest led by legislators Devinder Manyal, Rajiv Jasrotia, and Bharat Bhushan when party activist Himanshu Sharma accused the journalists of using "separatist language" for questioning security matters, which fall under the jurisdiction of the union home ministry.
Manyal maintained a cordial tone while addressing questions, stating that they plan to write to the Prime Minister, urging "decisive action" against the terrorists. However, tensions arose among party office bearers when journalists questioned whether the Pahalgam terror attack and the infiltration of terrorists into Kathua highlighted the central government's inability to curb cross-border infiltration.
Rakesh Sharma recounted that Himanshu Sharma's repeated remarks led to objections from journalists, who ultimately decided to leave the venue and boycott the protest. However, Himanshu, joined by Ravinder Singh, Ashwani Sharma, Manjit Singh, Tony, and Parveen Chuna, allegedly assaulted Sharma in full public view. Deputy Superintendent of Police Ravinder Singh intervened and rescued Sharma, later admitting him to Government Medical College Hospital for treatment.
A group of senior journalists convened with Kathua's Senior Superintendent of Police, Shobhit Saxena, urging the registration of an FIR and the arrest of those involved in the assault. In protest, journalists wearing black armbands staged a demonstration at Shaheedi Chowk in Kathua, declaring their decision to boycott all BJP events until the party takes decisive action against the accused.
Journalists staged a protest outside the press club in Jammu to show solidarity with their colleagues in Kathua. The Pradesh Congress Committee strongly denounced the attack on Rakesh Sharma, emphasising that his only fault was asking “undesirable questions” about the security situation amidst rising terror attacks. PCC chief spokesperson Ravinder Sharma stated, “Now asking questions by journalists has become a great sin. What can be more unfortunate and condemnable than that even a well-known journalist of a national daily is not safe?” He called for BJP president J.P. Nadda to issue an apology and take appropriate action against those responsible.
(inputs from PTI)
