PUCL Press Statement on Attack against IBN Lokmat
Tags: freedom of expression, rule of law, freedom of the press, right to equality, right to life, police accountability, CBI inquiry, political violence
Related Issue: freedom of expression, right to equality, right to life and personal liberty, rule of law, freedom of the press, right to a fair trial, protection from violence, accountability in governance
PUCL strongly condemns Shiv Sena activists’ attack on IBN Lokmat offices in Bombay and Pune. It is a shameful act against freedom of expression, rule of law and civilized norms of society.
PUCL views repeated occurrence of these types of attacks, in Mumbai in particular and in other parts of the country in general, with great concern and believes that these incidents recur because master minds, instigators and perpetrators of these incidents enjoy impunity. Till date not a single key leader of these attacks has been punished thereby tacitly lending support to violence on street by those who are responsible for maintaining law and order. It is precisely because of this reason that crude violence has entered even state legislature spectacle of which the whole nation witnessed recently undermining in turn the institutional sanctity and cherished constitutional values.
PUCL demands that the state government immediately order for a time bound CBI inquiry into the incident and take the strict action against any one found responsible for vandalizing office of the media house. The government must ensure punishment for those responsible for the incident thereby sending a strong message against deterring any future act of hooliganism by such outfits and contain culture of passive terror that these groups are spreading.
Pushkar Raj, General Secretary