The Chandigarh Press Club on Saturday condemned the filing of multiple FIRs against journalists including Mrinal Pande, Rajdeep Sardesai, Zafar Agha, Caravan group editors and publishers, besides others. FIRs on various criminal grounds, including sedition, were lodged by MP Police, UP Police and in Delhi.
In a statement, Secretary General Saurabh Duggal said FIRs are based on the coverage and comments the journalists made in respect of the farmers protest rally in the capital on January 26. The events that took place around the farmers rally on Republic Day were chaotic and information was not easily available.
The statement said there was clear intelligence lapse on the part of the various Central agencies.
In these circumstances, to pin blame on the journalists for being responsible for the violence and disruption, is reprehensible.
Worse still is the attempt of the Police to stick sedition charges on the journalists using archaic laws. Various journalist unions, Editors Guild of India and various press clubs across the country, including Press Club of India and Mumbai Press Club, have also condemned filling of FIRs against the journalists.
The statement said Chandigarh Press Club demands the immediate withdrawal of these FIRs against the six journalists.
