Khurshid Ahmad, a journalist with ETV Bharat, sits with a bandaged head that hides 12 stitches at Meerut’s Madrassa Islamia. On December 20, Ahmad was attacked by protesters while he was reporting on protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act in Meerut’s Islamabad neighbourhood. A few protesters had tried to burn down the Islamabad police picket, and Ahmad had rushed to the spot with his helmet and MoJo kit.

“Three-four people came up to me and snatched my mobile phone. They hit me on my head with it. Then they got hold of bricks,” Ahmad told Newslaundry. “I had my ID and I told them that I am Khursheed and I from the media. They complained that the media does not show their perspective.”

“Partly, their rage came from a resentment within public opinion against the media,” Ahmad added. 

Ahmad, a journalist for three years, believes that many common people do not like the pro-establishment bent of the Indian television media, but the blame for it cannot be assigned to reporters. “I went there to capture what was happening on the ground. But if people do not see it, then what is the fault of a field reporter? Journalism will become tougher if such an opinion is taking root among people,” he said.

On the brighter side, Ahmad told Newslaundry that his employer, ETV Bharat, has extended support to him after the incident which includes paying for his treatment. “They told me they are with me through this,” he said.

While reporting that day, Ahmad witnessed police officers roaming the streets once people came out of the mosques after the Friday prayers. “The police did not ethically appeal to the people for peace. They told them, ‘Go inside your homes or else we have made arrangements for you.’ This also provoked them. And the protesters pelted stones, and the police fired at them. Both can’t be denied,” Ahmad recounted.

Five people died in Meerut after being injured during the December 20 protests against the citizenship law and the proposed National Register for Citizens. The police have filed an FIR against 40 named persons and put up posters of wanted men across the city.

Watch the full interview.

Also read: Indian TV news channels relentlessly demonise protesters. But heckling their reporters isn’t right

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