New Delhi: Five journalists, including four Muslim journalists, were allegedly beaten up by a right-wing mob during the Hindu Mahapanchyat event organised at Burari on Sunday, April 3. The journalists include freelancers Arbab Ali and Meer Faisal, photojournalist Mohd Meherbaan and The Quint’s principal correspondent Meghnad Bose. The fifth journalist stated that he wants to maintain anonymous, fearing intimidation.
The journalists sought to register a criminal case against their assailants but as of midnight – despite having spent several hours at the Mukherjee Nagar police station – have still not managed to file a First Information Report, one of the reporters told The Wire.
Newslaundry reporters Shivangi and Ronak Bhatt were also allegedly attacked by the mob.
The journalists said that they were on assignment to cover the event when they were attacked by the mob. They added that their equipment was seized and photographs and videos of the event were deleted.
The event was being organised under the banner of the ‘Save India Foundation’ run by Preet Singh, a follower of controversial priest Yati Narsighanand. The organisers had also invited Sudarshan News editor Suresh Chavhanke as one of the chief guests at the ‘Mahapanchayat’.
In a video shared by AA News, Narsinghanand can be seen speaking at the event. In his speech, he goes on to target Muslims and incite Hindus to pick up weapons. He said, “In 20 years, 40% Hindus will be killed. If you want to change this, be a man. A man keeps weapons.”
Hundreds were reportedly present at the site.
Save India foundation had organised a similar event at Jantar Mantar last year, where anti-Muslim hate speech was given. A charge sheet was filed by the Delhi police in connection with the same foundation in November 2021. The Wire
