By Article 15 Network
The Bharti Shramjeevi Patrakar Sangh (BSPS) staged a large-scale protest at Jantar Mantar on Wednesday, pressing for the immediate implementation of the long-promised Journalist Protection Act and other key measures to safeguard media professionals. Hundreds of journalists from across 20 states gathered in solidarity, urging Prime Minister Narendra Modi to fulfill his commitment to ensuring journalists’ rights and safety.
Leading the protest, BSPS National President Ashok Pandey reminded the government of its pre-election promise to enact a law protecting journalists. “The safety and welfare of journalists must be a priority. We call upon the Prime Minister to take swift action and implement the Journalist Protection Act without further delay,” he asserted.
Key Demands Submitted to the Prime Minister
During the demonstration, BSPS presented a 10-point memorandum to Prime Minister Modi, highlighting urgent concerns affecting journalists nationwide. The key demands included:
Enactment of the Journalist Protection Act to ensure press freedom and safety.
Health insurance coverage for journalists.
Restoration of railway concessions for media professionals.
Exemption of accredited journalists from toll charges.
A nationwide journalist housing scheme to provide secure living conditions.
Fast-track courts for journalist murder cases to ensure swift justice.
An independent panel to investigate false cases against journalists.
A new policy for YouTubers and digital media professionals.
GST exemption for small and medium newspapers to support their sustainability.
Mandatory representation of journalist associations in the Directorate of Advertising and Visual Publicity (DAVP) and the Information & Public Relations Department (IPRD).
Nationwide Participation
The protest witnessed widespread participation from BSPS office bearers and state representatives, including General Secretary Shahnawaz Hasan, Vice President (Andhra Pradesh) Raghavendra Mishra, Organizing Secretary Giridhar Sharma (Uttarakhand), National Secretary Dr. Naveen Anand Joshi (Madhya Pradesh), Chandan Mishra (Jharkhand), National Treasurer S.S. Nasreen (West Bengal), and National Spokesperson Indu Bansal (Haryana).
Journalists from Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Bihar, and Jharkhand actively took part, turning the event into a nationwide movement for media rights.
Political and Legal Support
The demonstration garnered support from various political parties and legal associations. Notable figures backing the movement included:
Sanjay Prajapati, National General Secretary of the NCP
Kavita Verma, National Vice President of the Bahujan Samaj Party
Representatives from Aam Aadmi Party and Lok Samaj Party
Independent MP Pappu Yadav
BJP MP Manish Jaiswal
Congress MP Sukhdev Bhagat
TMC MP Aroop Chakraborty
National Conference MP Agha Syed Ruhullah Mehdi (Kashmir)
Rajesh Agarwal from the Bharatiya Kisan Union
A Call for Immediate Action
At the protest’s conclusion, BSPS formally submitted its signed memorandum to the Prime Minister’s Office, urging immediate steps to address journalist safety, rights, and welfare.
The demonstration at Jantar Mantar marked a significant moment in the fight for press freedom in India, drawing attention to the increasing challenges faced by journalists. BSPS leaders reaffirmed their commitment to continuing their advocacy until their demands are met.
