News Analysis India

Tag: Mandeep Punia

  • Talked to farmers inside Tihar Jail, will write detailed report: Journalist arrested by Delhi Police

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: Freelance journalist Mandeep Punia, who was arrested by the Delhi Police from the Singhu border, has said that he talked to farmers and scribbled notes on his legs inside the Tihar Jail to write a report.

    Punia was released from the prison on Wednesday after a court granted him bail.

    Talking to reporters outside the jail, he said, “It (being inside the prison) turned out to be an opportunity for me. I got a chance to talk to the farmers lodged in the jail and scribbled notes on my legs.

    I am going to write a detailed report.”

    “My work is to report from ground zero…I asked the farmers why and how they were arrested,” he said.

    Punia said he had been covering the protest at the Singhu border from the day it started.

    ALSO READ: Please understand farmers’ pain, stop your monologue: Opposition tears into government

    “It was my responsibility as a journalist to report it truthfully and faithfully. I was trying to do that. I was trying to find out the people behind the attack on the movement site. My work was interrupted by the arrest. I lost valuable time.

    I do feel that that I was wronged,” he tweeted.

    The police interfered with my work. That is my regret. Not the violence that i faced. This incident has strengthened my resolve to continue with my work, that is reporting from the ground the most dangerous and yet the most necessary part of journalism. (end)
    — Mandeep Punia (@mandeeppunia1) February 3, 2021

    He alleged that the police interfered with his work and said the incident had strengthened his resolve to continue with his work.

    Punia was arrested at the Singhu border on charges of “obstructing public servants in discharge of public functions”, “assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty”, and “voluntarily causing hurt to deter public servant from his duty”.

    He was sent to 14-day judicial custody on Sunday by the court of metropolitan magistrate.

    However, he was granted bail on Tuesday after furnishing a personal bond of Rs 25,000.

  • Editors Guild demands immediate release of scribe arrested at Singhu border

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: The Editors Guild of India on Monday expressed concern over the incarceration of freelance journalist Mandeep Punia who was reporting on the farmers’ protest at Singhu border, saying the arrest was an attempt to muzzle courageous voices of independent scribes.

    In a statement, the EGI demanded immediate release of Punia and “Delhi Police restore circumstances in which the media can report without fear or favour.”

    Punia and Dharmender Singh (with Online News India) were detained by Delhi Police on Saturday evening for allegedly misbehaving with security personnel on duty at the Singhu border where farmers have been protesting the Centre’s three farm laws.

    While Singh was later released, the police arrested Punia on Sunday.

    “The EGI is deeply concerned over the incarceration of freelance journalist Mandeep Punia who was reporting on the farm protest from the Singhu border.

    Punia’s arrest is an attempt to muzzle young courageous voices of independent journalists that through reporting are busting fake news and speaking truth to power.

    EGI demands that Mandeep Punia be released forthwith and Delhi Police restore circumstances in which the media can report without fear or favour,” the statement signed by EGI president Seema Mustafa said.

    The Indian Women’s Press Corps, Press Club of India and the Press Association had on Sunday demanded Punia’s immediate release and said no journalist should be disturbed while carrying out their duties at any place.

    “Such crackdowns impinge on the media’s right to report freely and interferes with our right to freedom of expression, and freedom of the press as guaranteed by the Constitution of India,” the bodies had said in a joint statement.

  • Media outrage at arrest of scribe Mandeep Punia on Singhu border

    By Express News Service
    NEW DELHI:  Freelance journalist Mandeep Punia was arrested by Delhi Police and sent to 14 days of judicial custody on Sunday, after a court rejected his bail plea.

    A metropolitan magistrate court listed his bail application for hearing on Monday and asked the investigating officer to file his response. 

    According to Delhi Police, Punia was detained on Saturday night at Singhu border for misbehaving with police personnel. An FIR under IPC Sections 186 (obstructing a public servant in discharge of public functions) and 353 (assaulting a public servant in execution of duty) was filed against him at Alipur Police Station. IPC Sections 332 and 34 have also been pressed against him.

    Other than Punia, journalist Dharmendar Singh was also detained but he was released after signing an undertaking. 

    Condemning the police’s action, media organisations said such crackdowns curtail the media’s right to freedom of expression.

    The Press Club of India, Indian Women’s Press Corps and the Press Association demanded his immediate release and said no journalist should be stopped while carrying out their duties. 

    “Such crackdowns impinge on the media’s right to report freely and interfere with our right to freedom of expression, and freedom of the press as guaranteed by the Constitution of India,” the bodies said in a joint statement.

    Journalists came out in support of Punia by holding demonstrations outside the Delhi Police headquarters, demanding his release.

    They also took out a protest march from the police headquarters to the Press Club.

    They said Punia, who contributes to The Caravan and Junputh, has been reporting on the agitation from the beginning and his arrest “is part of the government crackdown on journalists to prevent them from doing their job independently and freely.”