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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Kantara mimicking case: HC extends interim relief given to actor Ranveer Singh till March 9
Bengaluru (PTI): The Karnataka High Court on Monday extended the interim relief given to Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh till March 9, in a case related to mimicking a character from the movie, 'Kantara Chapter-1', and allegedly mocking a deity.
The actor had approached the High Court seeking the quashing of the FIR against him for mimicking Rishab Shetty's role as 'Chavunda' deity in the movie.
While mimicking, Singh had called the deity a "ghost". The actor was asked to appear before the court in person on Monday.
Appearing on behalf of the actor, his counsel Sajjan Poovayya said Singh was stuck in London and was unable to reach Bengaluru due to the conflict in West Asia.
The complainant, who is a lawyer, alleged that his religious sentiments were hurt by calling the deity a ghost. On the directions of a local Court, the police registered a case against the actor.
The High Court on February 24 granted interim relief to the actor with directions to the police not to take any coercive steps against him.
