Stop the CRACKDOWN on journalists reporting the peaceful protests: Press Club of India
Preventing journalists from doing their job, detaining them without reason, seizing their equipment, turning the capital into a fortress with thousands of police and paramilitary, shutting metro stations and unprecedented internet shutdowns -- to stop peaceful questioning of institutions -- is reminiscent of a fascist State.
Independent Ink News Desk
We, the undersigned organisations of journalists strongly condemn the arbitrary detention, harassment and seizure of equipment of journalists covering the protests in Delhi today.
On October 10, Saturday, Delhi Police detained hundreds of people who demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. In the crackdown, journalists who were clearly performing their professional duty, were bundled into police buses and taken to detention centres, including Chhatrasal Stadium and Chankyapuri Police Station.
Several journalists, including Paranjoy Guha Thakurta, reporters from The Quint, The Wire, Scroll, Reporter TV, Navbharat Times and Newslaundry were under detention. ‘
Reporters said they were detained while filming detentions, despite prominently displaying Press Cards. Cops were uttering that "Everybody claims to be a journalist these days.”
There are complaints that official reporting phones of the detained journalists were snatched and seized.
Such detentions are a blatant attack on the freedom of press.
Delhi Police had earlier said only PIB-accredited journalists would be allowed to report. Press freedom in India cannot be conditional on PIB accreditation. A large section of digital and independent media does not have PIB cards, yet, they are recognized press under the law.
We had made these points clear in a joint memorandum submitted to the Commissioner of Police earlier this week.
The police, however, decided to act against our suggestions in the memorandum.
We demand:
1.Immediate unconditional release of all journalists still in detention;
2. Immediate return of all seized phones and equipment;
3. A public apology from Delhi Police and an inquiry into the conduct of many of its senior officers who detained journalists despite seeing press IDs;
4. A clear assurance that journalists will not be prevented from covering protests, which is their constitutional duty.
Preventing journalists from doing their job, detaining them without reason, and creating a fortress-like situation in the capital with 22,000 police and paramilitary, closed metro stations and unprecedented internet shutdowns, to stop peaceful questioning of institutions is reminiscent of a fascist State.
We stand in solidarity with all detained colleagues.
Sangeeta Barooah Pisharoty
President
Afzal
General Secretary
Press Club of India
New Delhi
October 12, 2026
With:
Indian Women’s Press Corps (IWPC)
Delhi Union of Journalists (DUJ)
Kerela Union of Working Journalists (Dellhi Unit)