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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UP: Five of family arrested for assaulting a cop during raid in Sultanpuri
New Delhi (PTI): The Delhi Police has arrested five of a family for allegedly assaulting a police officer and snatching his service pistol during a raid in the Sultanpuri area, an official said on Wednesday.
The accused are Rajender (50), his sons Ritik (24), Sachin (29), Abhishek (26), and his daughter Komal (22).
The incident occurred on September 2, when a team from the Anti-Narcotics Task Force arrested Alka, wife of Rajender, for possession of heroin, police said.
During the raid, Alka's family members attacked a police officer with sticks and bricks and snatched his service pistol, mobile phone, and wallet. However, the officer managed to recover his service pistol, they said.
Police said that an FIR was registered and an investigation was launched.
Acting on a tip-off, police arrested the accused, absconding since the incident, from a flat in Raghubir Nagar in Delhi.
