A new CCTV video from Kasganj has surfaced giving credence to the local Muslims’ claims that they were attacked unprovoked as they began to celebrate Republic Day by hoisting India’s national flag on 26 January.
In the video, the local Muslims including some wearing Islamic skullcaps, are seen preparing for the 26 January function by installing a flagpole while also decorating the neighbourhood with tricolour ballons.
At 8.56 AM, the local residents are seen readying themselves for the Republic Day function. However, at 9.40 AM, they are seen rushing towards a lane anxiously. Moments later, some youth are seen emerging out of the same lane causing ruckus by throwing chairs, placed there for the Republic Day celebration.
In the immediate aftermath of Kasganj communal violence that killed one youth, attempts were made by a selected few journalists including Rohit Sardana and Sweta Singh of Aaj Tak, to lay the blame on local Muslims by portraying them as anti-Indians. Although, they were spectacularly exposed by fellow journalists, the new CCTV video will cause even more embarrassment to Hindutva rumour-mongers masquerading as journalists in India.
When the need of the hour was to report responsibly and prevent more bloodshed and loss of human lives, some usual suspects in the Indian media made desperate attempts to fuel tension. India Today’s Abhijit Majumder was widely condemned for spreading fake news claiming that another man, identified as Rahul Upadhyay, was killed in Kasganj by Muslims.
On Friday, Kasganj SP Piyush Srivastava had sensationally alleged that a journalist working ANI had indulged in fake reporting by allegedly coercing the father of the murdered youth to say he was facing threats to his life.
Thanks to the alert police of Kasganj, who wasted no time in exposing the lies of the India Today editor.
One reporter from Aaj Tak, who was widely hailed for his responsible journalism, was Ashutosh Mishra, whose tireless reporting from Kasganj earned him plenty of plaudits. Responsible news organisations such as BBC exercise immense caution while reporting on communal flare-ups knowing that even a minor editor lapses could result in loss of human lives. BBC has zero tolerance for its journalists when it comes to spreading mischief using its brand or association.
The question is; when will Indian media houses follow suit and not become a willful conduit to bloodshed?
