Congress condemns attack on journalists

New Delhi, Apr 19 (UNI) The Congress today condemned the attack on mediapersons by the supporters of Jama Masjid Shahi Imam outside the residence of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh yesterday, saying it was totally against any violence against the members of the Fourth Estate.

"We stand by journalists who constitute the fourth pillar in democracy," AICC Spokesperson Jayanthi Natarajan told mediapersons at a routine briefing here.

The supporters of the Imam clashed with the journalists when one of the scribes asked a question on Muslim reservation to him after he had a meeting with the Prime Minister along with a 40-member delegation.

"Journalists have a vital role to play in a democracy. They had every right to ask any question pertinent to issues. They should be allowed to perform their duties," she said, while pointing out that the Congress Party did not approve of violence of any kind against journalists.

UNI SH MA RS1815