Journalist Divya Srivastava, who pressed Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for answers to her questions, has faced online threats and harassment. At a press conference recently held in Lucknow, she had objected to the chief minister leaving without answering questions. Her video of the exchange went viral on social media, after which she was subjected to trolling, threats and abusive language.

In the video, the journalist can be heard repeatedly telling CM Yogi, “Chief Minister ji, please answer the question. This is a press conference. Chief Minister ji, this is a violation of the press.”

The video shows CM Yogi walking out of the press conference room without looking at her while she is speaking. Divya then says, “If you don’t answer questions at a press conference, then why call us here at all? Have we been called only to listen to what you have to say?”

Divya faced trolling, particularly from Hindutva supporters. Some mocked her, saying that before demanding answers she should first clarify what question she had actually asked CM Yogi. Others alleged that she had been sent by opposition leaders to tarnish the chief minister’s image. Divya denied these allegations.

Divya shared a video in which she said, “I don’t understand – are BJP supporters blind? I keep saying, again and again, that I went to the press conference to ask a question. CM Yogi saw me, he was right there in front of me. I have no complaint against CM Yogi, but BJP supporters and some social media creators are continuously harassing me and making negative videos against me.”

In the video, Divya could also be seen laughing after asking her question, which led many to question her intentions. Responding to this, Divya said that when she asked the chief minister her question, he walked away very graciously, smiling, and that this was what made her laugh slightly. Divya said she is a journalist and that asking questions is her job. She added that she regularly questions opposition leaders too, including Akhilesh Yadav and MP Sanjay Singh, among others.

Divya has also received support from many quarters. Several political parties and organisations, including the Congress and the Samajwadi Party, have come out in her support.

Samajwadi Party national president Akhilesh Yadav tweeted, “The BJP wants to turn journalists into silent listeners. The voice of courageous journalism that challenges dictatorship and the rule of money can no longer be suppressed.”

Separately, C P Rai, chairperson of the Uttar Pradesh Congress media department, said that if you call a press conference, there will be questions.

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