Hyderabad Journalists Protest Delhi Police Action, Seek Release of Detained Reporters
Women journalists and members of civil society staged a protest at the Ambedkar Statue junction near Liberty Circle in Hyderabad on Monday evening, condemning what they described as the assault, harassment and detention of journalists covering demonstrations in New Delhi.
The demonstration was organised under the banner of Women Journalists – Hyderabad. Participants said they had gathered in solidarity with journalists, students and women who, they alleged, were subjected to police action during protests in the national capital concerning the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and demands for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The protesters alleged that women journalists covering the Delhi demonstrations had faced physical attacks, intimidation and sexual harassment despite identifying themselves as media personnel. They also condemned the alleged detention of journalists and the restrictions placed on those attempting to report from protest sites.
Independent journalist Uma Sudhir said the developments raised questions that went beyond the immediate demands of the demonstrations, particularly regarding the protection of constitutional rights.
“What began as concerns over people’s voting rights has now raised serious questions about freedom of speech, expression and the right to peaceful protest. The manner in which the police have dealt with protesters, as seen in the visuals emerging from Delhi, is deeply disturbing,” she said.
She said the conduct of police personnel towards citizens exercising their democratic rights should concern people across the country, whether or not they were directly involved in the protests.
“The police are meant to protect citizens, not prevent them from exercising their democratic rights. This is not just an issue for journalists but for every citizen. The right to question authorities and demand accountability is fundamental to a democracy,” she said, urging citizens to speak out against such actions.
Hyderabad-based stand-up comedian Vivek Muralidharan, who joined the gathering, said his participation was driven by concern over the treatment of protesters rather than any particular political demand.
“The issue goes beyond the demand for Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation or the cause of the protests. The manner in which the Delhi Police have treated students, women and journalists is unacceptable and completely unwarranted,” he said.
“Regardless of where we live or what the protest is about, such actions must be condemned. That is why I have come here to express my solidarity,” he added.
In a statement, Women Journalists – Hyderabad referred to alleged incidents of harassment involving three women journalists and said the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) had taken suo motu cognisance of the matter, seeking a report from the Delhi Police Commissioner within two weeks.
The protesters also cited directions reportedly issued by the Supreme Court concerning unlawful detentions and restrictions on journalists and other professionals during demonstrations. They demanded the immediate and unconditional release of detained journalists, the withdrawal of cases registered against media personnel, and an independent investigation into the allegations of police misconduct.
The gathering further called for action against personnel found responsible for assaults and harassment, along with measures to ensure that journalists can cover public demonstrations without intimidation or obstruction.
The allegations made at the Hyderabad protest are as stated by the organisers and participants. A response from the Delhi Police on the specific claims was not available at the time of publication, and the details could not be independently verified by this publication. The SIR of electoral rolls has been a subject of public debate, and the protests in Delhi have drawn responses from journalists’ bodies, civil liberties groups and political parties across the spectrum.
