The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) on Monday condemned several attacks on journalists in India amidst the country’s ongoing general election. It also called upon the authorities to thoroughly investigate the incidents.

The CPJ strongly condemned the killing of journalist Ashutosh Srivastava and the assault on journalist Raghav Trivedi in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. Srivastava, a correspondent for local news channel Sudarshan News and a member of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), was shot dead while riding his motorcycle on May 13, and Trivedi was assaulted during an election rally on May 12. Srivastava had previously expressed concerns about his safety due to his reporting on illegal cow slaughter. Trivedi was attacked after questioning BJP leaders about alleged payments to rally attendees. CPJ’s India Representative Kunāl Majumder added:

Reports of the killing of journalist Ashutosh Srivastava and the assault of Raghav Trivedi in Uttar Pradesh are deeply disturbing. The authorities must ensure that those responsible are brought to justice. Journalists in Uttar Pradesh must be able to cover the general elections without fear.

Trivedi in an interview with the local news portal Newslaundry said, “I kept requesting people to stop. There were 40-50 police personnel too, but no one came to my rescue as they called me ‘mullah’ [Muslim] and ‘attanki’ [Terrorist] and punched me 150-200 times.”

According to the Reporters Without Borders’ (RSF) 2024 Press Freedom Index, India ranks 159 out of 180 countries. RSF states that press freedom in India faces severe threats, including violence against journalists, concentrated media ownership, and political alignment with the ruling party. Journalists critical of the government risk harassment, attacks, and legal persecution.