Journalist bodies in Haryana have condemned the arrest of Fatehabad-based TV journalist Jaspal Singh on the complaint of BJP MLA Lakshman Napa’s son on Saturday. The journalists have also planned a protest when Singh will be produced before a court in Ratia in Fatehabad on Sunday. Ratia BJP MLA Napa’s son Sumit Kumar had lodged a police complaint against Singh blaming him for defaming his father through WhatsApp groups and Facebook. Kumar alleged that the journalist had posted the news on several WhatsApp groups and Facebook regarding the alleged “mention” of his father's name in a gambling case lodged on March 16 while his father was away from Ratia when the FIR was lodged. Kumar also said one more journalist had allegedly posted wrong posts on a WhatsApp group adding ‘this journalist stated that they were not taking care of him’. The MLA’s son further alleged that “attempts were being made to defame their political image being an MLA of Scheduled Caste” After the police arrested Singh under different charges, including defamation, SC/ST Act and IT Act, journalists from neighbouring districts rushed to meet Fatehabad Deputy Commissioner Jagdish Sharma Saturday night to raise their voices. Seeking the immediate release of the arrested journalist, the media persons also demanded the cancellation of the FIR. After the meeting, the deputy commissioner marked their memorandum to SP Fatehabad Astha Modi. Later, the journalists met Modi. In the memorandum, the journalists said Singh was picked from his home and called it an attack on journalism and an attempt to suppress independent voices. The police have lodged an FIR under Section 67 of the Information Technology Act, 2000, sections 384 (extortion) and 500 (defamation) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and different sections of the SC/ST Act in this case. However, journalists have termed the allegations false while seeking the FIR's withdrawal. The national executive of the Indian Journalists Union (IJU), which met in Chandigarh on Saturday and Sunday, has also taken note of Singh’s arrest. IJU General Secretary and former president of Chandigarh Press Club Balwinder Singh Jammu said: “It’s unfortunate that FIRs have been lodged against many journalists in Haryana during the past few years. All such cases should be withdrawn without any delay.” All India Congress Committee (AICC) Secretary (in charge of internal communications) Vineet Punia also condemned the police action.
