Apoorvanand calls Delhi riots probe coverage sloppy and one sided media trial in letter to TV news channels

Professor Apoorvanand wrote a letter to the editors of two major Hindi TV news channels over their coverage of the investigation into Delhi riots. He wrote this letter on August 11 to Zee News and Aaj Tak highlighting that their coverage has been “sloppy and one sideded.”

Professor Apoorvanand teaches Hindi at Delhi University.

“Whatever the source of your news report (and it is part of journalistic ethics to mention the same generally), a one-sided story which makes very serious allegations, adversely affecting my reputation, as also putting my family and me in harm’s way, is not in the best traditions of journalism”, Apoorvanand wrote in the letter

He made this letter public on Wednesday, September 2 on The Wire.

Here is the complete text of the August 11 letter

“Dear Sir,

Apropos of your ‘exposé’ dated 10th August, 2020 (the source of which was left out), I wish to state the following: I have a lifetime of an open position on politics, democracy, dissent and peace. Whatever the source of your news report (and it is part of journalistic ethics to mention the same generally), a one-sided story which makes very serious allegations, adversely affecting my reputation, as also putting my family and me in harm’s way, is not in the best traditions of journalism.

It is disappointing to see that no effort was made to even contact the person against whom such grave charges were being made. You would agree that, when done this way, it becomes a propaganda against the person concerned, involving serious consequences in his life.

It would not be out of place to mention that I have myself put in the public domain that I have interacted with the police after being called for questioning in connection with the investigation into the violence that had hit Delhi in February, 2020. Also that I, as a responsible citizen of this country, would cooperate with the police, as and when required.

You may recall the Delhi high court’s recent directives against publication of the police versions against accused under trial. These would apply with greater force to those who are not even accused.

I would appreciate a response from your side.”

Earlier on August 3, Delhi University professor Apoorvanand was questioned by the Delhi Police in connection with the pogrom in North-East Delhi in February. He was called for investigation under the FIR no 59/20, which is the one under which several students who protested the National Register of Citizens and Citizenship Amendment Act were summoned under.

Professor Apoorvanand was kept at the Delhi Police Special Cell’s office for five hours and his phone was seized for investigation. In a statement released after his interrogation by Delhi Police, the professor said the Delhi Police should not further harass and victimise protestors and their supporters, who asserted their democratic right through constitutional means.