Journalist assaulted by BJP workers in IIOJK for questioning security lapses in Pahalgam

More than 30 journalists staged protest and boycotted BJP coverage over assault of “anti-national” journalist.

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A senior journalist with Dainik Jagran- a Indian Hindi-language daily newspaper, was assaulted by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers after questioning the party's response to the recent terror attack in Pahalgam in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).

Rakesh Sharma, 58, was covering a BJP protest in Kathua, IIOJK when he asked party leaders about security failures related to the attack, which killed 26 people.

According to Sharma, his question – “Till when will you keep burning effigies of Pakistan? This is also a security lapse” – triggered the assault.

 

 

 

 

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Eyewitness videos shared widely on social media show Sharma being kicked and chased by BJP workers.

Among the accused are Himanshu Sharma, who reportedly labelled journalists “anti-national”, and Ravinder Singh, who was seen physically assaulting the reporter.

Police in Kathua registered a case under sections 191 and 115 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) against five BJP workers.

However, Sharma claimed he was denied a copy of the FIR and had to visit the station in a vest after his clothes were torn in the attack.

The incident occurred in the presence of three BJP MLAs – Devender Maniyal, Bharat Bhushan, and Rajiv Jasrotia – though none intervened at the time.

Bhushan later described the attack as “unfortunate,” while Jasrotia confirmed Ravinder Singh’s role and said he had raised the issue with party leadership.

Sharma was hospitalised for treatment and underwent further tests due to discomfort. "I have not been able to urinate properly since the attack," he said.

The assault drew condemnation from local press bodies.

Over 30 journalists held a protest in Kathua, wearing black bands and announcing a boycott of BJP coverage. “This could happen to any journalist asking questions of the government,” said Harpreet Singh, general secretary of the Kathua Press Club.

The BJP has yet to issue an official statement on the incident.