New Delhi: International press freedom bodies and several journalists have expressed their solidarity with award winning journalist Rana Ayyub after she was prevented from flying to Europe to speak about intimidation of journalists and rights in India.
The world’s largest democracy has prevented a prominent Indian activist and writer Rana Ayyub from flying to Europe to speak about intimidation of journalists. She was scheduled to speak on 01 April at an event organized by International Center for Journalists (ICFJ), Doughty Street Chambers and International Bar Association.
Journalists and activists have long complained of harassment under Prime Minister Modi, whose government is trying to silence critical reporting. She was stopped at Mumbai airport because of an investigation by authorities into an alleged money laundering case against her. International Center for Journalists demanded Indian government to “end its investigation and inflammation of attacks on Rana Ayyub which risks turning the digital lynch mob into a murderous horde.” Mumbai Press Club “unequivocally condemn the harm handed way in which Rana Ayyub was prevented from flying to London to speak on the intimidation of journalists in India by a last-minute summons issued by the Enforcement Directorate.” Executive Director of ‘The City’ Nicholas Dawes said, “This is unconscionable and it will ultimately fail in its purpose.
Rana Ayyub’s message can’t be stopped at the border, and her warnings about press freedom in India will if anything be amplified by the effort to bar her person.” Veteran Indian journalist and The Wire Editor Siddharth Varadarajan tweeted: “Disgusting harassment that proves the point about the state of Indian democracy that the world is slowly waking up to.”
Last month, human rights experts at the United Nations urged the Indian authorities to investigate “relentless misogynistic and sectarian” attacks on social media against her. The Washington Post also issued a full-page advertisement in her support, saying “the free press is under attack in India.” Web Desk
