On Shujaat Bukhari’s Assassination - Editors Guild’s Condemnation

The Editors Guild of India unequivocally condemns the assassination of Shujaat Bukhari.

Mr Bukhari was a voice of moderation and a courageous, big-hearted editor who mentored a large cadre of young journalists from Kashmir. The Guild calls upon the Government of Jammu and Kashmir to take urgent steps to bring to book the culprits and ensure safety and security for the media in the State. An attack on a journalist challenges the very foundations of a free press and vibrant democracy and more so in a State like Jammu and Kashmir that is going through militancy. The Guild also calls upon the State and Central Government to enhance security for all journalists in Jammu and Kashmir. Recent weeks have also seen threats of violence against many journalists in different parts of the country. The killing of Mr Bukhari is a new low in a rapidly deteriorating environment for media practitioners in Kashmir, in particular, and in the country in general. The Guild calls upon the Centre to take note of the developments and take necessary steps to ensure a situation where the media can discharge its duties without any fear of violence. The State and Central governments must enhance security for all journalists in Jammu and Kashmir.