The murder of Bastar journalist Mukesh Chandrakar allegedly over his reporting on corruption in infrastructure projects has riled up journalists across the country.

On Tuesday, several journalists gathered at the Press Club of India in Delhi to demand justice for Chandrakar. “It is not the murder of one journalist alone. It ensures that journalists like Mukesh will be afraid to report on scams and corruption scandals not only in Chhattisgarh but in other states too,” said prominent journalist Ravish Kumar, speaking at the memorial and protest meeting.

Underlining how ground reporting done by journalists like Chandrakar was more important than journalism practised by “helicopter” reporters, senior journalist Urmilesh said, “ When living in places in Bastar is so difficult, imagine how difficult it must be to practice journalism there. Journalists sitting in Delhi and Mumbai often don’t understand the problems and challenges journalists face in remote areas.” 

Chandrakar’s body was recovered from a septic tank near the house of a local contractor on Friday, two days after he was reported missing. He ran Bastar Junction, a popular YouTube channel, and had previously worked for prominent media houses.