BJP's party workers allegedly thrash journalist for recording BJP meeting on Chhattisgarh poll debacle
The media has again suffered blow from the BJP as a journalist has alleged that he was physically assaulted and thrashed by the Chhattisgarh BJP workers, while he was recording their meeting.
Journalist Suman Pandey, who has sustained minor injuries on his head, has complained that he was thrashed by four men, including BJP Raipur president Rajeev Agarwal, as quoted by a police official.
Pandey has said, “I was recording a video of the meeting on my mobile phone when suddenly BJP leaders started manhandling each other over some issue. Meanwhile, BJP Raipur district president Rajeev Agarwal and another person, Utkarsh Trivedi, asked me to delete the video of the scuffle, which I refused. They then started hitting me and forcefully deleted the video.”
BJP workers in Raipur attacked a journalist, snatched away his mobile camera and deleted the recordings. FIR lodged naming three BJP leaders including BJP district president. Journalists on sit-in. Read full story here: https://t.co/amdK39OJRP pic.twitter.com/Qs1oh2ZcYZ
— Committee Against Assault on Journalists (CAAJ) (@caajindia) February 2, 2019
He added that “I was made to sit inside the meeting room for about 20 minutes. When I came out, I informed other journalists about the incident.”
Sacchidanand Upasane, Chhattisgarh BJP spokesperson has apologized to the journalist as he was also present in the meeting held in Chhattisgarh.
“The closed door district level meeting was held to review the defeat in the recent Assembly election. Media persons were asked to leave the meeting room after taking initial footage. Party leaders and workers were also asked to keep their mobile switched off.”
TS Singh Deo, Minister in the Congress government has said, “It was an unfortunate incident and this should not have happened with anyone. Such a kind of incident is unacceptable and stern action should be taken.”
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First published: 3 February 2019, 12:48 IST