Gauri Lankesh murdered: When politicians at Press Club left journalists disappointed

The presence of many senior as well as young politicians at the Press Club of India in New Delhi on Wednesday left the larger section of the journalist fraternity disappointed. The Press Club had organized a protest gathering against the brutal murder of journalist\activist Gauri Lankesh who was gunned down on Tuesday evening in Bengaluru.

To express their shock and anger and express solidarity, the Indian Women's Press Corps (IWPC) and Press Association also joined the protest as they have done several times earlier. As journalists started gathering at Raisina Marg, they realized it was not exactly a 'media' protest. Everyone noticed the presence of former JNUSU president and CPI worker Kanhaiya Kumar, his comrades Shehla Rashid and Anirban at the venue. They also noticed CPM General Secretary Sitaram Yechury, senior leader and MP Mohd Salim, CPI leader Atul Anjaan, activist Swami Agnivesh and AAP leader Ashutosh.

A few of the above such as Kanhaiya Kumar and Agnivesh also addressed from the dais, meant essentially for media persons to express their thoughts, anger and solidarity.

Fingers are also being raised at Aam Admi Party leader and spokesperson Ashutosh addressing the gathering. Many journalists were vocal and questioned the presence of these full time politicians. Some of them took to social media and openly voiced their disappointment. While most others preferred to register their disapproval silently by simply leaving the venue. A senior print journalist explained it like this, 'this was a very sad and solemn occasion. It was not the right time to raise voice over differences.

However, the presence of so many active political workers made me uneasy therefore I simply the place with other friends after a short while.'

A woman journalist and former office bearer of the PCI also said what happened was completely unexpected and deeply disturbing.

A top office bearer of the PCI management who was managing things on the dais admitted that the protest 'did not quite go as it should have'. He said that active politicians and workers should not have addressed the gathering but did not quite explain why they were allowed. He added that nobody was invited but people from all segments including politicians turned up on their own. On hindsight, he said, they would more careful next time.

While it is understandable that political workers and activists who were friends or ideologically aligned to Gauri Lankesh should feel angry, they would have done better to hold their own protest elsewhere.

(Smita Mishra is an Adviser with Prasar Bharati)