Photo: Collected
Three women journalists have raised allegations of sexual harassment against police while covering a protest at Jantar Mantar in India’s capital New Delhi.
After the allegations, Delhi Police sent the matter to the Crime Branch for investigation. Police said the complaints have been handed over to the Crime Branch precisely to ensure an impartial investigation.
The incident took place on Saturday during a protest at Jantar Mantar demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. The protesters allege that this programme was called in protest against the Election Commission’s activities related to the revision of the voter list and the role of the CEC.
A statement from Delhi Police said three women journalists made allegations of sexual harassment against police during the control of the law and order situation in the New Delhi area on 3 October. New Delhi District Police have received their complaints and those have been sent to the Crime Branch for a ‘fair and impartial investigation’.
A journalist’s serious allegation
One of the complainant journalists has claimed that an assistant commissioner of police (ACP) sexually harassed and physically assaulted her while she was on duty at the protest site.
According to that journalist, she was recording video of the police action. At that time, the police officer concerned touched her inappropriately and later pushed her away.
According to reports in the Indian media, the journalist later also raised an allegation of sexual assault against that officer in a video message.
The complainants claim that they went to the police station after the incident to lodge a complaint, but their complaint was not immediately registered as an FIR. Later, the journalists stayed outside Parliament Street police station for a long time and demanded that a case be taken.
Press Council’s outrage
The Press Council of India has expressed concern over the allegations of the women journalists. The organisation said it was ‘shocked and dismayed’ at the police’s behaviour with the journalists.
The Press Council said such behaviour cannot be accepted as normal in a democracy. Journalists must be given the opportunity to independently cover and document the activities of those who gather with various demands.
The organisation also commented that if journalists are obstructed from working even in the heart of the country’s capital, it does not send a positive message for the freedom of India’s media.
Alongside, calling upon Delhi Police to take quick action on the woman journalist’s complaint, the Press Council said journalists should get the opportunity to perform their duties independently without facing aggression and threats.
Rahul Gandhi asks, ‘Where is Amit Shah?’
After the incident, Rahul Gandhi, senior leader of India’s opposition party Congress and leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha, sought an answer from Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
In a post on social media platform X, he said Delhi Police is under the Union Ministry of Home Affairs. So it is the home minister who must answer on the allegations of misconduct by police with women journalists and protesters.
Rahul Gandhi claims a woman journalist has made an allegation of misconduct against a police officer, but no FIR was taken even though journalists stayed for hours on end demanding that the complaint be registered.
He further alleged that hundreds of people were detained from the Jantar Mantar area on Saturday. Allegations of misconduct with women protesters have been raised, and incidents of journalists’ cameras being snatched and of them being dragged away have also taken place.
According to Rahul, videos of police misconduct with women protesters have come to the fore before as well. The women and students of Delhi are protesting amid concern about their own safety, yet the very police who are responsible for their protection are using force against them.
He raised the question: if the government is afraid even to register a woman’s complaint, then what is the government actually trying to protect?
Tension surrounding the protest
Extensive security measures have already been taken surrounding the ongoing protests in Delhi demanding the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar. Police had said more than 550 people were detained centring Friday’s programme. The protesters also included political leaders, members of student organisations and representatives of civil society.
Several protesters were detained on Saturday too. The protesters are mainly agitating over objections to the ‘Special Intensive Revision’ process of the voter list and demanding the resignation of the CEC.
The sexual harassment allegations made by the women journalists have raised fresh questions about the role of the police and the safety of journalists. Police said the truth of the allegations will be determined through investigation. As the responsibility for the investigation has gone to the Crime Branch, eyes are now on the next steps regarding the complaints. Source: NDTV
