ADVERTISEMENTREMOVE AD

EGI, DIGIPUB Issue Statements Condemning Mandeep Punia’s Arrest

Delhi Police had detained Punia on 30 January from the Singhu border, claiming that he ‘misbehaved’ with a SHO.

Published
India
2 min read
story-hero-img
i
Aa
Aa
Small
Aa
Medium
Aa
Large
Hindi Female

The Editor’s Guild of India (EGI) and DIGIPUB News India Foundation issued statements on Monday, 1 February condemning the arrest of freelance journalist Mandeep Punia and demanded his immediate release.

“Punia was in the thick of covering the violence that took place at the Singhu border,” DIGIPUB’s statement noted.

It also appealed for a ‘withdrawal of all malicious cases against journalists’, naming several journalists, including Online News India journalist Dharmender Singh, Rajdeep Sardesai, Mrinal Pande, Zafar Agha, Vinod Jose, Ananth Nath and Paresh Nath, who have been recently detained under various charges, including sedition.

“We also condemn the FIR lodged against two news portals, The Kashmir Walla and Kashmiriyat, for reporting on the alleged pressure faced by a private school in Shopian, Jammu and Kashmir, to celebrate Republic Day,” the statement added.

The news foundation condemned the ‘continued targeting of journalists' reporting on the farmers’ agitation and noted that, “The use of sedition to suppress dissent and critical voices must be fiercely opposed by journalists across the country.”

ADVERTISEMENTREMOVE AD

The EGI also expressed that it was ‘deeply concerned’ by Punia’s incarceration.

“Punia’s arrest is an attempt to muzzle young courageous voices of independent journalists who are busting fake news and speaking truth to power, through their reportage,” the editor’s body wrote in their statement.

On Saturday, 30 January, the Delhi Police had detained Punia from the Singhu border, claiming that he ‘misbehaved’ with a station house officer (SHO) on duty, The Indian Express reported.

Punia, who is a freelancer with The Caravan, was on an assignment to cover the ongoing farmers’ protest at Singhu. He was forcibly picked up by a group of policemen, along with Dharmender Singh, another journalist.

(With inputs from The Indian Express)

(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)

0

Read Latest News and Breaking News at The Quint, browse for more from news and india

Speaking truth to power requires allies like you.
Become a Member
3 months
12 months
12 months
Check Member Benefits
Read More
×
×