White House condemns harassment of journalist who questioned PM Modi on minority rights
Washington: The White House said on Monday that it was “completely unacceptable” that Sabrina Siddiqui, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reporter was subjected to harassment and online abuse after she asked a question to Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding minority rights in India during a joint press event in the United States last week.
Biden administration officials pushed back strongly against this online trolling and harassment and asserted that they condemn any efforts of intimidation or harassment of a journalist while adding that they are committed to the freedom of press.
"It’s completely unacceptable and it's antithetical to the very principles of democracy that ... were on display last week during the state visit," said John Kirby, White House Spokesperson on National Security Issues.
The WSJ highlighted that Siddiqui was facing “intense online harassment from people inside India”. They also added that she was being targeted partly because of her Muslim faith.
During the joint press event, Siddiqui had raised concerns about religious minorities rights, including Muslims who are being blatantly discriminated under Modi’s government. She asked Modi about the steps being considered and taken to improve the rights of minorities in the country. Modi responded by stating that there is no discrimination in India as it runs on the principles on democracy.
The Wall Street Journal issued a statement and mentioned that Siddiqui is a respected journalist known for her integrity and unbiased reporting. South Asian Journalists Association (SAJA) also defended Siddiqui and expressed their support to her. Siddiqui, like many South Asian and female journalists, is experiencing harassment for simply doing her job, they added
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NIA raids multiple locations in J&K in Red Fort blast case
New Delhi/Srinagar (PTI): The National Investigation Agency on Monday conducted searches at various locations in Jammu and Kashmir in connection with its probe into the Red Fort car bomb blast case, officials said.
“The searches are being conducted at nine places in various locations of J-K,” an NIA spokesperson said.
The locations included the Handwara area of Kupwara district, Rafiabad in Baramullah district, and places in Kulgam and Srinagar districts, among others, the officials said.
At least 13 people were killed, and several others were injured in the blast near the Red Fort that shook the national capital on November 10 last year.
The blast was triggered by suicide bomber Umar Un Nabi, a medical doctor and assistant professor at Al Falah University in Faridabad, Haryana, who blew up an explosive-laden car he was driving outside the iconic monument.
The NIA has so far arrested 11 accused in the case.
