The gruesome murder of reporter Santanu Bhowmik has once again raised questions about security of journalists in the country. Often journalists become victims when their views differ with the ideologies of those related with the political parties. Today it has become difficult for journalists to freely express their views as many of them end up losing their lives. Later political parties start indulging in blame games and questioning the credibility of opposition parties whose ideology is different from theirs. Of late, whenever a journalist or social activist is murdered, finger of suspicion is pointed towards right wing parties. Many times allegations are made against RSS after the murder of a journalist. Thus, is it justified to blame right wing parties for every journalist’s murder even before the investigation is conducted?
Bhowmik’s murder has happened few months prior to the Tripura Assembly polls. Election will be held in the state in early 2018. In 2015 India was ranked the deadliest country in Asia for journalists by Reporters Without Borders – although most deaths occur in remote rural areas away from the major urban centres.
“In Tripura CPI (M) is ruling and Karnataka is governed by Congress. After BJP came to power political clashes have increased in the country. Such intolerance never existed in the country. It is not justified to blame BJP and RSS for every journalist’s murder. Law and order has completely deteriorated in the country as journalists are being killed and no action is being taken,” he added.
IPFT leader Dhananjay Reang said, “Clashes had occurred between protestors and IPFT as one journalist sustained severe injuries. He was sent to hospital and later was declared dead. We have demanded a CBI inquiry into this case.”