Aaj Tak Journalist Aakashdeep Shukla commits suicide amid alleged mental trauma, threats
In a tragic turn of events, Aakashdeep Shukla, a journalist associated with Aaj Tak, was reported to have died by suicide on Monday.
The journalist allegedly faced considerable mental distress due to what has been described as "constant threats of criminal cases" from his wife and her parents. This disturbing revelation was brought to light by journalist and filmmaker Deepika Bhardwaj.
Based in Delhi, Aakashdeep Shukla reportedly took his own life by hanging himself at his residence in the city. Deepika Bhardwaj took to X (formerly Twitter) to convey the unfortunate news, stating that Shukla "killed himself today." According to Bhardwaj's tweet, she had conversed with Shukla, who held the position of an assistant editor with Aaj Tak since 2021, on the previous day.
Bhardwaj asserted that Shukla had been enduring mental turmoil due to alleged mistreatment by his wife and her parents. She further alleged that Shukla's court marriage had occurred under pressure and that he had been subjected to continuous threats of legal action.
During their Sunday conversation, Bhardwaj indicated that she assured Shukla they would find a resolution to the situation. Tragically, it appears that the senior journalist took his own life despite this reassurance.
"I spoke to @JournoAakash for 20 mins y'day. He told me about the mental trauma he's facing because of his wife & her parents. He was under constant threats of criminal cases. His court marriage was also done under pressure. I told him we will sort it. BUT HE KILLED HIMSELF TODAY," Bhardwaj conveyed in her tweet.
A close friend of Shukla, Jagrati Shukla, informed the Free Press Journal that the journalist had been under "a lot of stress due to his personal life." According to Jagrati, Shukla and his wife engaged in a heated argument on Monday morning, witnessed by another friend. Following the argument, he allegedly secluded himself in his room and took his own life.
In a subsequent tweet, Deepika Bhardwaj disclosed details of the events leading up to Shukla's alleged suicide, including allegations of physical assault. Shukla apparently confided in Bhardwaj that his wife had tarnished his reputation on social media by using derogatory language.
"Akash shared that the woman he got married to had sullied his image by calling him names on social media. He couldn't afford to lose his career so he compromised & did court marriage. Now his father-in-law was pressurising him to do a social function, spend lacs when he didn't have that kind of money," Bhardwaj's tweet outlined. "He was in deep stress clearly & was worried for his parents. He also felt he was the one who had brought this problem on to them. There's so much more he shared. He was physically assaulted too when they had fights. I am unable to comprehend this." (SIC)
I spoke to @JournoAakash for 20 mins y'day. He told me about the mental trauma he's facing because of his wife & her parents. He was under constant threats of criminal cases. His court marriage was also done under pressure. I told him we will sort it. BUT HE KILLED HIMSELF TODAY pic.twitter.com/mBL26AIDHd
— Deepika Narayan Bhardwaj (@DeepikaBhardwaj) August 14, 2023
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India denied Pope Francis’ visit, say Bishops; ‘government did not open the door’
New Delhi: Following the death of Pope Francis at the age of 88, senior Indian bishops have expressed sorrow not only over his passing but also over what they describe as a missed opportunity for India, reported Maktoob Media.
According to Delhi Archbishop Anil Joseph Thomas Couto and Thamarassery Bishop Mar Remigiose Inchananiyil, the Indian government repeatedly failed to grant permission for the Pope's long-awaited visit, despite consistent interest from the Vatican.
“He too was waiting,” said Archbishop Couto. “Five years ago, he had said, ‘I am knocking on the doors of your government, but they are not opening the doors to me.’ Now maybe God has opened the doors for him in heaven.” His words echoed deep regret that India never hosted the late pontiff, who had made clear his intention to visit the country.
Bishop Inchananiyil reinforced the sentiment, stating, “The Pope had a special desire to visit India. Unfortunately, our doors did not open. That caused him great sorrow.”
The Pope’s unfulfilled visit has drawn renewed scrutiny toward the Indian government’s apparent reluctance, despite earlier gestures suggesting otherwise. At the G7 summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had publicly extended an invitation to Pope Francis, and Union Minister George Kurien had emphasized that both the Indian state and the Christian community were awaiting his visit. However, the formal diplomatic process that would enable such a trip never reached fruition.
India has not hosted a papal visit in over 25 years. The last visit was by Pope John Paul II in 1999, who also made a significant trip in 1986. Prior to that, Pope Paul VI had visited Mumbai in 1964 for the International Eucharistic Congress, marking the first-ever papal visit to the country.
Despite India being home to one of the largest Catholic populations in Asia greater than in many Christian-majority nations such as East Timor, Papua New Guinea, and Singapore the late pontiff was never able to set foot on Indian soil. In 2017, his planned visit fell through when India did not extend an official invitation, leading him instead to visit neighboring Myanmar and Bangladesh.
