The Committee to Protect Journalists has expressed deep concern over the arrest of Indian journalist Sajad Gul, who was taken into custody by Indian soldiers and handed over to the police after he uploaded a video clip of a protest against Indian rule in disputed Kashmir. Gul, an independent journalist and media student, was initially told he would be released, but on Friday, a formal case was opened against him on charges of criminal conspiracy and working against national integration, carrying a maximum sentence of life imprisonment or even the death penalty.
The organization views Gul’s arrest as an attempt to silence him for reporting on a sensitive topic, and is “deeply disturbed” by the incident. The CPJ has been vocal about the deterioration of press freedom in India, particularly in Kashmir, which has been a flashpoint for military conflict and political unrest. Kashmir is divided between India and Pakistan, and both countries claim it in full. Since 1989, a full-blown armed rebellion has raged in Indian-controlled Kashmir, seeking a united Kashmir under Pakistani rule or independent of both countries.
Indian journalist Sajad Gul (Via Sajad Gul/Twitter)
The CPJ is calling on Indian authorities to immediately release Gul and drop their investigation into his journalistic work. The organization has been monitoring the situation in Kashmir and has expressed concern over the increasing restrictions on press freedom. Journalists in the region have been harassed and threatened by the police, effectively restricting reporting in the area. The Kashmir Press Club, an elected body of journalists, has repeatedly called on the Indian government to allow them to report freely, citing physical attacks and threats from security agencies.
The government’s policy of giving it more power to censor independent reporting has also raised concerns. The CPJ is calling on Indian authorities to respect the rights of journalists to report without fear of harassment or reprisals. The arrest of Sajad Gul and the continued restrictions on press freedom in Kashmir are a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by journalists in the region.
