Murder of Vikram Joshi
Vikram Joshi (Hindi: विक्रम जोशी) was an Indian journalist who was shot by unknown assailants and he later died in the hospital. The incident caused widespread criticism of the Uttar Pradesh government among opposition parties as well as media.[1][2]
Joshi had filed a police complaint on 16 July 2020 against some people who were accused of harassing his niece.[3] On 20 July 2020, while he was on his motorcycle with his daughters, aged 5 and 11, the assailants forcibly stopped his motorcycle and started beating him.[4] Then, one of the suspects shot at his head from close range and the assailants fled the scene.[5] The entire incident was caught in CCTV footage and created outrage across the country.[6] Vikram Joshi succumbed to his injuries on 22 July 2020. 9 men have been arrested in connection with the incident and 1 policeman has been suspended.[7]
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced 10 lakh ex gratia for Vikram Joshi's family.[6]
Reactions
[edit]Former Chief Ministers, Akhilesh Yadav and Mayawati questioned the poor state of law and order in Uttar Pradesh.[8] Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi raised questions about the safety of common people in "Jungle Raj".[9] West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee took to social media to express her shock on media's voice being muzzled.[10]
Press Association and Indian Women's Press Corps condemned the killing and demanded probe into the incident as well as other similar incidents of attacks on journalists.[2][11]
References
[edit]- ^ "'Is it a crime to be a journalist in UP?' Cong attacks govt over Vikram Joshi's death". Hindustan Times. 2020-07-22. Retrieved 2020-07-23.
- ^ a b "We want justice: Media bodies seek probe into Vikram Joshi's killing in Uttar Pradesh". Deccan Chronicle. 2020-07-22. Retrieved 2020-07-23.
- ^ "Ghaziabad: Journalist Vikram Joshi, who was shot at by miscreants, passes away". www.timesnownews.com. Retrieved 2020-07-23.
- ^ "Journalist shot dead for reporting harassment". BBC News. 2020-07-22. Retrieved 2020-07-23.
- ^ "After Congress' attack over journalist's death, Mayawati says jungle raj in Uttar Pradesh". Hindustan Times. 2020-07-22. Retrieved 2020-07-23.
- ^ a b "Journalist Vikram Joshi's family will get Rs10 lakh ex gratia: Yogi Adityanath". Hindustan Times. 2020-07-22. Retrieved 2020-07-23.
- ^ "9 arrested in Ghaziabad journalist shooting case, 1 policeman suspended". ThePrint. 2020-07-21. Retrieved 2020-07-23.
- ^ "Ghaziabad journalist shot dead: Opposition corners Yogi government over poor law and order situation". The Financial Express. 2020-07-22. Retrieved 2020-07-23.
- ^ "Priyanka Gandhi's 'jungle raj' jibe, AAP MP visits scribe's kin". The Times of India. July 22, 2020. Retrieved 2020-07-23.
- ^ "Voices being muzzled, even media not spared: Mamata Banerjee on journalist Vikram Joshi's murder". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 2020-07-23.
- ^ "Media bodies demand judicial probe into attack on Ghaziabad journalist Vikram Joshi". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 2020-07-23.