BJP lawmaker from J&K Chaudhary Lal Singh’s comment that journalists should draw a line for themselves so as not to meet the fate of slain editor Shujaat Bukhari invited censure both from political parties and journalists’ associations on Sunday.
The Indian Women’s Press Corps, the Press Club of India, the Press Association and the Federation of Press Clubs of India issued a joint statement on Sunday condemning the statement.
The statement said, “We, the undersigned organisations, demand that strict action be taken against the lawmaker for making threatening remarks hinting possible violence at journalists in the Valley. Such statements are nothing short of criminal intimidation and a direct attack on the freedom of the press. They also serve to vitiate the atmosphere and endanger the lives of journalists who work and live precariously in conflict situations.”
Former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti tweeted: “After expressing concern about freedom of expression in J&K following Shujaat’s murder, their MLA, notorious and even punished for his role in the aftermath of the unfortunate Kathua case, still threatens journalists belonging to the Valley, so what are they going to do about him?”
Congress leader Randeep Surjewala tweeted: “BJP J&K MLA Lal Singh openly threatens journalists to ‘fall in line & draw a line’. He horrifically says that otherwise they will meet the fate of Shujaat Bukhari by naming his brother. Do BJP leaders have some special knowledge about the assassination?”
“In the wake of the terrible killing of Shujaat Bukhari, a statement like this from Lal Singh which is threatening journalists and free speech is condemnable”, CPI (M) leader Brinda Karat told The Hindu