New Delhi: Condemning the attack on Times of India's office in Mumbai as "unacceptable", Press Council chief Markandey Katju has written to Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithvi Raj Chavan asking him to ensure that action is taken against the hooligans who were part of the act.
"I have come to know through various sources about the attack and vandalism in the Mumbai office of Times of India. This is totally unacceptable in a democracy," Katju wrote in his letter to the Maharashtra Chief Minister.
"Under Article 19 (1) (a) of the Constitution of India, the media enjoys freedom, and under section 13 of the Press Council of India Act, it is the duty of the Press Council to maintain the freedom of the Press," Katju added.
According to Katju, when mediapersons or media offices are physically attacked, it constitutes a gross violation of the media's Constitutional right.
The Press Council chief said it was Maharashtra government's duty to maintain law and order and also uphold the Constitution.
Addressing the Maharashtra Chief Minister, Katju demanded that action be taken against the perpetrators of the attack.
"Please therefore let me know at the earliest what action have you taken against the hooligans who committed this outrage. In particular, please inform me whether the delinquents have been arrested and any criminal proceedings launched against them," Katju said in the letter.
He said it was not the first time that such an incident has happened in Maharashtra.
"I had written to you earlier also about such assaults and harrassment of journalists.. I therefore must tell you now that the Press Council may now have to take a serious view of the matter and take suitable action if such incidents are not curbed in your state," Katju wrote.
Apparently irked by a report in Marathi daily 'Maharashtra Times' which speculated that a sitting Shiv Sena MP was on his way to NCP, alleged Sena workers on Saturday vandalised the reception area of Times of India (TOI) building in Mumbai.
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