IJU Condemns Delhi Police High-Handedness Against Women Journalists at Jantar Mantar.
Vijayawada / Chandigarh, 5 October 2026: The Indian Journalists Union (IJU) has expressed grave concern and strongly condemned the high-handed actions and violence meted out by the Delhi Police against media professionals, particularly women journalists, during the latest protests at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi.
In a statement issued today, IJU President Balwinder Singh Jammu and Secretary General D. Soma Sundar termed the incident reprehensible, highlighting that three women journalists faced harassment at the hands of male police personnel, including an officer of the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP).
The IJU took serious note of the formal complaint lodged by a woman journalist who was allegedly molested and groped by an ACP while discharging her professional duties. It is deeply alarming that personnel at the Parliament Street Police Station refused to register an FIR for several hours despite her sustained efforts. The IJU observed that such deliberate delays and inaction point to a blatant attempt to shield guilty officials, which cannot be acceptable in a democratic society governed by the rule of law. Furthermore, several media persons including women journalists from independent digital platforms and mainstream outlets were subjected to physical aggression, intimidation, and arbitrary detention alongside protesters, despite prominently displaying their valid press identity cards.
The Union also took strong exception to the arbitrary suspension of mobile internet services around Jantar Mantar without the statutory blocking orders being placed in the public domain. Such ad-hoc internet shutdowns severely disrupt spot reporting, curtail the public’s fundamental right to information, and prevent journalists from reporting ground realities.
The Indian Journalists Union in the statement demanded swift criminal and departmental proceedings against the accused police officer and personnel involved. Union also demanded a time-bound, independent inquiry into the physical aggression, harassment, and unlawful detention of journalists covering the demonstration. Union has asked for clear directives from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs and Delhi Police authorities ensuring that journalists can discharge their professional duties at public demonstrations without threat of violence, harassment, or unlawful detention. Reiterating it's steadfast solidarity with all affected media persons, the IJU asserted that any attempt to muzzle the press and intimidate journalists in the heart of the national capital will be resisted nationwide.
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