The Indian Women’s Press Corps (IWPC) issued a statement on June 10, demanding the withdrawal of the case against journalist Saba Naqvi. The magazine was booked for tweeting a meme on a ‘Shivling’ allegedly found inside UP’s Gyanvapi Masjid. However, several members of the journalist body have spoken out against the statement.
The IWPC had said, “The Indian Women’s Press Corps is shocked and concerned that an FIR has been registered against our member and senior journalist Saba Naqvi for her posts. We demand that the FIR be withdrawn by the Delhi Police.”
Responding to the shock and concern expressed by the journalist body, Asha Khosa said that she rejects Saba Naqvi’s “hateful messages on Lord Shiva”.
Read | Delhi Police registers FIR against Nupur Sharma, Naveen Jindal, Saba Naqvi and others
Awaaz-The Voice’s Asha Khosa said, “I am an elected member of the IWPC Management Committee. While Saba is an important ally, I do not support her hateful messages on Lord Shiva and feel insulted. I have not supported it. ” With the hashtag Notinmyname.
I am an elected member of IWPC Management Committee. While Saba is an important ally, I do not support her hateful messages on Lord Shiva and feel humiliated. i don’t support it #NotInMyName @iwpcdelhi,
– Asha Khosa (Ho Xhosa Asha) 10 June 2022
Another journalist Bharti Jain also rejected this statement and said that she does not support Naqvi’s statement.
She tweeted, “I don’t even support this. Let the law take its course. #NotInMyName.”
I don’t even support it. Let the law take its course. #NotInMyName
— Bharti Jain (@bharti11) 11 June 2022
Meanwhile, journalist Chitra Narayanan claimed that even though an FIR was not required for Naqvi’s tweet, IWPC’s support is problematic as it was not prepared in consultation with other members.
He said, “As an elected member of the IWPC, I find the statement in support problematic as it was not in consultation with the members and also as a journalistic body urges members not to post distasteful/incendiary material.” should be requested,” she said.
I think there was no justification for the FIR against Saba. However, as an elected member of the IWPC the statement seems problematic in endorsement as it was not in consultation with the members and as a journalistic body, it is equally requested by the members not to post distasteful/incendiary material. should do.
— Chitra Narayanan (@ndcnn) 11 June 2022
The FIR against several, including Saba Naqvi, was the first action by the Delhi Police in the Prophet’s remarks row that drew global criticism. Nupur Sharma, who made controversial remarks, has been accused of making hate remarks about the founder of Islam.
Expelled BJP leader and former Delhi unit media chief Naveen Jindal, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi, Hindu Mahasabha leader Puka Shakun Pandey, Maulana Mufti Nadeem, who threatened to blind the eyes of those who insulted the Prophet, have all been booked under Section 153, 295. A case has been registered under 505 For inciting communal riots and insulting religious symbols.