{"id":44332,"date":"2026-10-11T15:29:44","date_gmt":"2026-10-11T09:59:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/udaen.info\/?p=44332"},"modified":"2026-10-11T15:43:20","modified_gmt":"2026-10-11T10:13:20","slug":"voice-of-media-demands-action-over-alleged-police-crackdown-on-journalists-in-delhi","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/udaen.info\/?p=44332","title":{"rendered":"Voice of Media Demands Action Over Alleged Police Crackdown on Journalists in Delhi"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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Founder and International President Sandip Kale,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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National President Anil Mhaske seek impartial probe, protection for women journalists and safeguards for press freedom<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Delhi : The Voice of Media VOM International Forum has expressed serious concern over reports alleging that journalists covering events in New Delhi were obstructed, detained, manhandled and deprived of mobile phones or other reporting equipment. Taking a firm stand against any attempt to undermine press freedom, the organisation\u2019s Founder and International President, Sandip Kale, and National President, Anil Mhaske, have called upon Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Union Home Minister and the Delhi Police Commissioner to ensure an impartial investigation and appropriate action wherever wrongdoing is established.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reports emerged that, on October 10, 2026, Delhi Police detained a large number of protesters amid a demonstration demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Several journalists covering the developments reportedly faced police action. Media reports and complaints by journalists alleged that some were detained despite displaying their official press identity cards, while others were allegedly manhandled or had their mobile phones and reporting equipment taken into police custody.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In its representation to the authorities, the Voice of Media International Forum has called for the facts surrounding these incidents to be established through a transparent and impartial inquiry. The organisation has stressed that maintaining law and order cannot be used as a justification for arbitrary action against journalists performing their professional duties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Citing reports published by The Wire, Newslaundry, The News Minute, The Times of India and other media organisations, the forum referred to the reported experiences of journalists including Anushka Bharadwaj, Saurabh Sharma, Ashwin Kumar Singh, Aastha Savyasachi, Anmol Preetam, Ayush Tiwari, Hrithik Joshi, Rahul Charas, Shoaib Daniyal and Jagriti Trisha. The reports included allegations of detention, physical manhandling and the seizure of equipment used for reporting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The organisation emphasised that the allegations must be investigated individually and impartially, and that the authorities must provide a clear account of the legal grounds for the action taken. The claims have been raised through media reports and complaints and require appropriate verification by the competent authorities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The forum also stressed the distinction between journalists covering a protest and individuals participating in it. Journalists attend public events to document developments, record official actions and bring verified information to citizens. Their presence at a protest site does not, by itself, mean that they are participants in the demonstration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the organisation, journalists must be able to perform their duties without intimidation, subject to lawful and proportionate restrictions. Those covering public events should not be arbitrarily detained merely for recording police action or asking questions in the course of their professional work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Concern over allegations involving women journalists<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Voice of Media VOM International Forum has also raised concerns over the safety and dignity of women journalists. Media reports stated that three women journalists had made allegations of sexual misconduct against Delhi Police personnel during a protest near Jantar Mantar on October 3, 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reports further stated that, on October 8, the National Human Rights Commission sought a detailed report from the Delhi Police Commissioner within two weeks concerning the alleged incidents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The forum has called for an impartial and sensitive investigation into these allegations. It has urged the authorities to protect the complainants\u2019 privacy and dignity, ensure their safety and prevent any pressure or intimidation during the investigation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The organisation maintains that allegations of misconduct against journalists, particularly those involving the safety and dignity of women, must be treated with seriousness and addressed through a credible investigative process. Any findings should be handled in accordance with the law and appropriate accountability measures should follow wherever wrongdoing is established.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sandip Kale stresses that press freedom is essential to democracy<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sandip Kale, Founder and International President of the Voice of Media VOM International Forum, has emphasised that freedom of the press is an essential pillar of democracy and cannot depend on whether a news report is favourable or unfavourable to those in power.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kale\u2019s position is that criticism of the government is not a crime and that questioning public authorities is a legitimate part of democratic accountability. Journalists must be allowed to report events and examine the functioning of public institutions without fear of arbitrary action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He has called upon the Central Government to intervene and ensure that complaints concerning the treatment of journalists in Delhi are addressed promptly and transparently. Preventing journalists from recording events or detaining them without lawful justification cannot resolve public questions or strengthen public confidence in institutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The organisation has also stressed that journalists\u2019 professional equipment and recorded material must be handled strictly in accordance with the law. Where equipment has been seized, the authorities should clarify the legal basis for such action and ensure that the privacy of journalists and the integrity of evidence are protected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anil Mhaske calls for accountability and safeguards for journalists<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anil Mhaske, National President of the Voice of Media International Forum, has underlined the need to protect journalists\u2019 safety, dignity and professional rights while ensuring that the police discharge their law-and-order responsibilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The organisation has called for the authorities to disclose the grounds for journalists\u2019 detention, clarify the status of seized equipment and investigate complaints of misconduct. If any police personnel are found to have acted unlawfully or abused their authority, appropriate action must follow in accordance with the law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mhaske\u2019s position reflects the forum\u2019s demand that clear procedures be established for identifying journalists at protest sites, facilitating their reporting and ensuring that any restrictions imposed are lawful, proportionate and non-discriminatory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The forum has also called for an effective grievance-redressal mechanism through which journalists can report alleged police misconduct and approach senior officers for timely resolution. It has urged the Delhi Police Commissioner to issue an official statement explaining the department\u2019s position and the measures being taken to protect journalists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ten key demands submitted to the authorities<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In its representation to the Prime Minister, the Union Home Minister and the Delhi Police Commissioner, the Voice of Media International Forum has outlined ten principal demands:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. An impartial investigation into the incidents of October 3 and October 10, 2026, involving allegations of misconduct against journalists.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. An official explanation of the legal grounds for detaining the journalists concerned.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Clarification regarding seized mobile phones, cameras and other reporting equipment, and their timely return following any legally required procedures.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. A sensitive and impartial investigation into the complaints made by women journalists, with appropriate protection for the complainants.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Action in accordance with the law against police personnel found responsible for misconduct, unlawful detention or abuse of authority.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  6. Clear operational guidelines for police personnel dealing with journalists at protests and public events.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  7. Protection of journalists\u2019 ability to report and record events, subject to lawful and proportionate restrictions.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  8. An effective and transparent mechanism for filing and resolving complaints of police misconduct.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  9. An official public statement from the Delhi Police Commissioner regarding the incidents and steps being taken to prevent their recurrence.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  10. Intervention by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, including obtaining a factual report from Delhi Police and ensuring appropriate follow-up action.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    The forum has further called for the preservation of relevant video footage and other evidence, the verification of complaints concerning the deletion of recordings, and safeguards against the misuse of confidential information contained in journalists\u2019 devices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Copies of the representation have also been marked to the National Human Rights Commission of India, the Press Council of India, the Press Club of India, the Indian Women\u2019s Press Corps, the Delhi Union of Journalists and other concerned journalists\u2019 associations and media organisations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \u201cThis is a fight for press freedom, not against any political party\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The Voice of Media International Forum has clarified that its position is not aligned with or opposed to any political party. Its objective is to protect the rights, dignity, safety and independence of journalists, irrespective of which party is in power or which authority is responsible for the administration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The organisation has warned that the reported incidents should not be treated as an isolated issue affecting only a handful of journalists or one media organisation. Any alleged interference with journalists\u2019 work raises broader questions about public accountability, transparency and the ability of citizens to access information about events of public importance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The forum has called for the findings of the relevant inquiries to be made public and for concrete measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The organisation\u2019s central message is clear: journalists must be able to perform their duties without fear, complaints of misconduct must be investigated impartially, and those found responsible must be held accountable under the law.
    \u201cIf journalists and journalism are safe, the world is stronger!\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Founder and International President Sandip Kale, National President Anil Mhaske seek impartial probe, protection for women journalists and safeguards for press freedom Delhi : The Voice of Media VOM International Forum has expressed serious concern over reports alleging that journalists covering events in New Delhi were obstructed, detained, manhandled and deprived of mobile phones or […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/udaen.info\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/44332"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/udaen.info\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/udaen.info\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/udaen.info\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/udaen.info\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=44332"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/udaen.info\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/44332\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":44334,"href":"https:\/\/udaen.info\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/44332\/revisions\/44334"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/udaen.info\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=44332"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/udaen.info\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=44332"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/udaen.info\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=44332"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}