Following the Delhi High Court’s recent directive to grant police protection to Amar Kant Singh Chauhan, the Bhind bureau chief of Swaraj Express, senior journalist Rakesh Kumar has lauded the decisive role played by the Press Club of India in defending journalists facing intimidation and violence in Madhya Pradesh.
With over thirty years of experience in Indian journalism, Rakesh Kumar expressed deep concern over the escalating pattern of harassment targeting reporters who expose uncomfortable truths. He noted, “The Press Club’s efforts to draw nationwide attention to these grave incidents have been crucial. The swift assistance extended to Chauhan and others demonstrates that the journalistic community will not remain silent in the face of injustice.”
Kumar emphasized, “What is unfolding in Madhya Pradesh is deeply troubling. Summoning journalists, assaulting them, stripping them of their clothes, and coercing them into signing false statements—this is not the rule of law but an abuse of power. In such a hostile environment, the Press Club’s solidarity provides not only moral support to affected journalists but also serves as a reminder that unity among the press is our strongest shield.”
The Delhi High Court’s intervention comes after Amar Kant Singh Chauhan fled Madhya Pradesh, citing threats to his life due to his reporting on illegal sand mining and alleged police collusion. Other journalists—including Dharmendra Ojha (News 24), Shashikant Goyal (Bejod Ratna), and Pritam Singh (NTV Bharat)—have also been subjected to similar tactics of intimidation, physical assault, and forced retractions.
Rakesh Kumar urged the journalistic fraternity to remain vigilant and united, stating, “We must demand accountability and push for institutional safeguards, such as a comprehensive Journalist Protection Act. This struggle is not limited to a single reporter or one state—it is a fight to safeguard the foundations of democracy.”
He called upon media bodies, civil society organizations, and constitutional institutions to closely monitor the situation in Madhya Pradesh and ensure that those misusing their authority are held responsible.
