"Goonda Raj": Reactions Condemning Nikhil Wagle Attack (image-facebook/Nikhil Wagle)
Responding to the violent attack on Maharashtra journalist Nikhil Wagle by workers from the BJP”s Pune unit on Friday night, several political figures and journalists have condemned the assault as an attack on freedom of expression and called for immediate action against the perpetrators.
MP Supriya Sule took to X (formerly known as Twitter) condemning the attack, hailing Wagle as a beacon of journalism. The National Congress Party (NCP) politician called the incident as an attack on freedom of expression and accused the BJP-regime of enabling such acts of “Goonda Raj” while calling for accountability.
Strongly condemn the attack on Nikhil Wagle (@waglenikhil), a voice of truth and a beacon of journalism. This is not just an assault on an individual but an attack on freedom of speech itself.
The deteriorating law and order situation in Maharashtra under the BJP regime that is…— Supriya Sule (@supriya_sule) February 9, 2024
The Press Club of India also tweeted, condemning the increasing cases of targeting journalists to censor them, calling for the Maharashtra CM and the Pune police to punish the culprits behind the attack.
We are deeply disturbed by attack on @waglenikhil and also dismayed to know an FIR filed against him. Targeting journalists to silence them or to threaten for their views are condemnable and unacceptable. We urge @CMOMaharashtra, @PuneCityPolice to inquire and punish the culprits
— Press Club of India (@PCITweets) February 9, 2024
Senior journalist and news anchor in India Today Television Rajdeep Sardesai extended his solidarity with Wagle. “By all means challenge him on his views by debating with him. Even ignore or denounce him…But to target his car in the heart of Pune, try and physically assault him is totally unacceptable,” he tweeted.
Completely totally unacceptable: these physical attacks on someone for speaking their views are a shame . @waglenikhil is one of the most courageous journalists I have known. By all means challenge him on his views by debating with him. Even ignore or denounce him . . But to… https://t.co/Cqut8oMrUV
— Rajdeep Sardesai (@sardesairajdeep) February 9, 2024
“India is still a democracy no?” asked renowned journalist Swati Chaturvedi on X, tagging PM Modi and the Deputy Chief Minister of the state, Dev Fadnavis.
This is awful. @waglenikhil needs to be protected @Dev_Fadnavis what sort of “jungle raj” are you running? Please @PMOIndia India is still a democracy no? https://t.co/Bw7eRQL9HF
— Swati Chaturvedi (@bainjal) February 9, 2024
Rajya Sabha MP and Deputy Leader of Shiv Sena, Priyanka Chaturvedi tweeted, “Goondagardi under the gundaraj”, criticizing the acts of violence on activists critical of the BJP.
Less than 24 hours since the untimely and unfortunate killing of our former corporator, Abhishek Ghosalkar and now we have this attack on activists who are critical of the BJP.
Goondagardi under the gundaraj. https://t.co/8ZkgKdRu7r— Priyanka Chaturvedi🇮🇳 (@priyankac19) February 9, 2024
Violence erupted in Maharashtra on Friday when senior journalist Wagle”s car was attacked after he remarked PM Modi”s decision to award Hindutva hero L K Advani with Bharat Ratna. Wagle was on his way to the “Nirbhay Bano” event organised by Rashtra Seva Dal in Pune along with human rights lawyer Aseem Sarode and activist Vishwambhar Choudhary. Despite travelling under police protection, the vehicle was attacked by BJP workers who threw ink on the car and pelted the window panes, shattering them.
Wagle and his companions were, however, able to escape the violence, unharmed. An FIR has been filed by local BJP leader Sunil Deodhar against Wagle at Vishrambaug police station, citing the allegedly offensive remarks against PM Modi and Advani.
The Wagle attack is one of the many in recent years as India undergoes an alarming state of press freedom under the Modi government since 2014. Notably, India ranks 161 out of 180 countries in the World Press Freedom Index of 2023.
