Newslaundry journalists assaulted, manhandled at Hindu Mahapanchayat, police complaint filed

Two Newslaundry journalists were manhandled and assaulted today while reporting on a Hindu Mahapanchayat at Delhi's Burari. The journalists, Shivangi Saxena and Rounak Bhat, have filed a complaint at Mukherjee Nagar police station.

Before her assault, Saxena said she was recognised by those present as having covered the anti-Muslim sloganeering at Jantar Mantar last year.

Saxena and Bhat reached Burari Maidan at around 10.30 am, and a group of unidentified men began following them. Saxena alleged in her complaint that she heard her name being called from the stage by one Preet Singh, who was one of the organisers of the Mahapanchayat. Singh referenced Saxena's Jantar Mantar video report, which the Delhi police is using as evidence in the case filed in the matter.

At around 1.30 pm, there were reports of other journalists being assaulted at the event.

When Saxena and Bhat went to the spot to confirm the allegation, Bhat was manhandled and assaulted by a group of 15 to 20 men. His press card was snatched. Saxena was recording the proceedings on her phone when she was pulled and groped by unknown men who also tried to snatch her phone.

A detailed report will be up on our website soon.