Journalist manhandled at Rahul rally, Press Club of India points to ‘taunts’ by politicians

The Press Club of India has demanded disciplinary action a day after an India News journalist was manhandled – during Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra in Rae Bareli – after he asked the Congress leader about the Opposition’s alliance. 

“Is there an alliance with the Samajwadi Party or has it been broken,” asked Shiv Prasad Yadav at the rally on Tuesday. Rahul Gandhi then asked the journalist his name, his employer’s name, and his caste. Congress supporters meanwhile manhandled the journalist while Rahul Gandhi said, “don’t beat him…Send him here. Tell me his name. He is not an OBC, he is not a Dalit, he is not a tribal.”

“Goons part of Rahul Gandhi’s rally assaulted our reporter and misbehaved with him,” said an anchor on India News while telling viewers about the incident.

Many on social media hit out at the Congress over the episode.

The Press Club of India condemned the incident and sought action against the “assaulters”. “We note with concern the incident involving iTV correspondent Shiv Prasad Yadav…and urge disciplinary action against the errant assaulters. We strongly advise all political party leaders against egregious taunts that may instigate assaults on journalists.”

Meanwhile, on Wednesday evening, the Congress and Samajwadi Party announced their seat-sharing formula for the Lok Sabha polls.

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