Mumbai Press Club Condemns Threats Against Journalist Following Article On BJP’s Mumbai North Candidate Piyush Goyal
The Mumbai Press Club has issued a strong condemnation in response to the alarming threats made against journalist Neha Purva, stemming from her coverage of Mumbai North BJP candidate Piyush Goyal. Unknown individuals allegedly intruded into Purav’s residence on Thursday night, warning the journalist against publishing news critical of Goyal.
Neha Purav, a journalist with Navakaal, found herself targeted after reporting on Goyal”s reaction to the smell of fish during a visit to a fish market in North Mumbai as part of his campaign. Reportedly, Goyal covered his nose with a handkerchief, which was perceived as an insult to the Koli fishermen working there. Purav’s report highlighted Goyal”s discomfort with the environment, a piece of news that allegedly triggered a hostile response from unidentified sources.
Representing the journalistic community”s interests, the Mumbai Press Club has vehemently condemned such threats and intimidation tactics aimed at silencing reporters and stifling the freedom of the press. The Press Club has called upon the Mumbai Police to swiftly investigate the matter and take decisive action against those responsible for threatening Neha Purav.
Mumbai Press Club condemns the threats made by unknown individuals against Journalist Neha Purav.
The Mumbai Press Club strongly condemns the threatening incident against a journalist for reporting news about Mumbai North BJP candidate Piyush Goyal. Unknown individuals entered…
— Mumbai Press Club (@mumbaipressclub) April 26, 2024
Maharashtra Congress General Secretary Sachin Sawant took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to condemn the incident. He wrote, “Isn”t this autocratic behaviour? Is this why the BJP wants more than 400 seats? Earlier, men hit women from the fishermen community just because they were protesting against Piyush Goyal.”
Expressing his solidarity with the journalist, he added, “We stand strongly with Neha Ji. The reason for our fight to save democracy and the constitution gets substantiated by this example. People from North Mumbai will give a befitting reply to the hooliganism and arrogance of BJP leaders.”
Strongly condemn the threat made to senior journalist Neha Purav just because she reported news against Piyush Goyal, a north Mumbai candidate of the BJP. Isn”t this autocratic behaviour? Is this why the BJP wants more than 400 seats? Earlier, men hit women from the fishermen… https://t.co/s5Coi3XySv
— Sachin Sawant सचिन सावंत (@sachin_inc) April 26, 2024
The incident is one of many in the concerning trend of intimidation faced by journalists in their line of duty.
