Andhra Congress leaders protest alleged police assault on women journalists
Leaders of the Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) staged a demonstration in Vijayawada on Sunday to condemn the alleged detention and assault of two women journalists, Shamin Khan and Nafees Khan, reported from Delhi. The protesters demanded strict action against the police personnel involved.
Addressing the media at the Dharna Centre, APCC vice-president Kolanukonda Shivaji said the two journalists were allegedly unlawfully detained and subjected to third-degree methods. According to reports cited by Mr. Shivaji, the women were further physically assaulted by male police personnel using lathis after the police learned that they belonged to the Muslim minority community. The alleged assault left the women unable to walk properly, he added.
Mr. Shivaji claimed that suppressing dissent, harassment, false cases, and invoking stringent laws against critics had become routine under the Narendra Modi government. He criticised the BJP and its alliance partners for raising slogans like 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao' while allegedly failing to protect the rights and dignity of women.
“We demand strict action against those responsible for the alleged assault at Saket Police Station,” Mr. Shivaji said, calling for the immediate suspension of the officials concerned.
Referring to remarks reportedly made by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief in New York that Muslims in India are treated without discrimination, Mr. Shivaji said those remarks contrasted sharply with what he described as attacks and hate campaigns against Muslims by BJP and RSS-affiliated groups. He added that the alleged incident amounted to an attack on democracy and on the freedom and dignity of women.
“The attack on young journalists is an attack on democracy. It is also an attack on the freedom and dignity of women,” he said, adding that the Gen Z generation viewed such actions as a direct assault on its democratic rights.
Mr. Shivaji demanded that the Union Home Minister make a statement on the incident, ensure a fair and impartial inquiry, and order strict action against those found responsible.
The allegations made by the Congress leaders have not been independently verified. No official response from Delhi Police or the Union Home Ministry has been reported so far.
Among those who participated in the protest were party leaders Fakir Ahmed, Khurshida, S.K. Baji, Misala Rajeswara Rao, M.K. Beg, Mandepudi Sunitha, Aziz, Shareef, Syed Khader Mohiuddin, Azmath and Ramana.
