It is unfortunate to hear about the verbal and physical assault of Lalit K Jha, a US correspondent of the Press Trust of India, while covering the pro-Khalistan protest in Washington DC. The Indian Embassy has rightly condemned such actions and highlighted the violent and anti-social tendencies of these separatists and their supporters who engage in wanton violence and vandalism. It is important for journalists to be able to report freely without fear of intimidation or violence, and it is heartening to hear that the US Secret Service and local police intervened in time to save Jha from harm. Press freedom is a fundamental aspect of a democratic society, and it is important for all stakeholders to respect and protect it. Such incidents underscore the need for greater awareness and sensitivity towards the role of journalists and the importance of their work in promoting transparency and accountability.
It seems that a PTI reporter was obstructed and threatened by protesters, who placed a Khalistan flag on his face and pushed him. The reporter feared for his safety and called 911, running towards the other side of the road for safety and looking for a police van. One of the protesters also verbally abused the reporter and demanded to know what he was going to report. The organizer eventually backed off after the reporter complained to the police about the protesters’ potentially harmful activities. The Indian mission expressed gratitude towards the law enforcement agencies for their prompt response to the matter.
