Ajit Karn
Indian Journalist attacked by Khalistan Supporters in the United States
Washington: A PTI journalist was verbally intimidated and physically attacked by Khalistan supporters protesting in front of the Indian Embassy in this city, prompting a forceful response from the Indian mission, which stated that such actions demonstrate the separatists’ violent and antisocial tendencies.
Lalit K. Jha, the US correspondent for Press Trust of India, was attacked while documenting a pro-Khalistan demonstration. However, he was spared by the opportune intervention of the US Secret Service and the local police.
“We have seen disturbing images of a senior Press Trust of India journalist being verbally abused, threatened, and physically assaulted while covering the so-called ‘Khalistan protest’ in Washington, DC earlier today,” the Indian Embassy said in a statement.
“According to our understanding, the journalist was first verbally intimidated and then physically assaulted. Fearing for his personal safety and well-being, he contacted law enforcement, who responded promptly,” the statement said.
“Such actions only serve to highlight the violent and antisocial tendencies of the so-called ‘Khalistani protestors’ and their supporters, who routinely engage in wanton violence and vandalism,” the report stated.
The Indian mission expressed gratitude to the law enforcement agencies for their prompt response to the situation.
Not only did the demonstrators obstruct this PTI reporter by coming in front of the camera and positioning the Khalistan flag on his face, but they also threatened him with dire consequences.
Fearing physical injury, the reporter dialed 911 and fled to the opposite side of the road in search of a police vehicle.
One of the demonstrators verbally assaulted the reporter and demanded to know what he or she planned to report. As the reporter complained to the police about the potentially dangerous activities of the protestors, the organizer retreated.
Two of the demonstrators later approached the reporters who were standing near the Secret Service agents. One of them instructed the Secret Service to ask the journalist to leave “my land,” which is federal property.
They cautioned that if there is violence and the correspondent is injured, they should not be held responsible.
The second protestor immediately hurled insults at the reporter, used unparliamentary language, and struck the reporter’s left ear with the Khalistan flags he held.
The Secret Service personnel inquired as to the reporter’s well-being. The Secret Service warned the protester not to replicate his actions and requested additional police reinforcements.
The law enforcement official informed the demonstrators that this was public property, so the reporter had every right to stand there and chronicle their demonstration.
In their speeches, the demonstrators repeatedly pointed their fingers at the two reporters and hurled insults at them.
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While preventing journalists from performing their duties, a group of protesters filmed, photographed, and posed provocative questions to the reporter documenting their protest.
“The violence committed against @lalitkjha is abhorrent and an attack on journalism. I condemn it with the utmost severity. Lalit is one of the most impartial and considerate journalists. “Thank you to our security for protecting Lalit, the diplomats, and the consulate,” tweeted Congressman Ro Khanna, an Indian-American.
