Journalists

Uttar Pradesh

HRDA has issued an urgent appeal to the National Human Rights Commission of India on July 15, 2019, regarding the attempt to harass, ill-treat and intimidate journalists by the District Magistrate with the help of UP Police.

On June 30, 2019 around 15 to 20 journalists from print and electronic media including photo journalists went to the District Government Hospital in Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh to collect information about the official visit of the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh (CM), Mr. Yogi Adityanath. According to local journalists, they were not allowed to go inside the hospital from the main gate as the police barricaded the main entrance by rope. Hence, they had to rush to the back gate around 50 meters away from the main gate to enter into the hospital premises where Chief Minister was conducting the routine inspection and interacting with patients and their family members. While they were waiting in the emergency ward, the District Magistrate (DM) of Moradabad Mr. Rakesh closed the door with its latch from outside and asked the policemen to guard it. This was done to ensure that the uncomfortable questions are not asked to the CM or other hospital officials regarding the deteriorating condition of the public health services in Uttar Pradesh.

HRDA has prayed for immediate and impartial investigation into the above mentioned case.