20 hrs ago
Saffron-Clad Men Paint Anandabazar Patrika Office Pillars
A group of men wearing saffron clothes went to a newspaper office in Kolkata.
They painted two pillars at the entrance saffron.
They said the newspaper had insulted the colour saffron through one of its headlines.
The headline described violence at Jadavpur University as “Saffron Hooliganism.”
Suvendu Adhikari had already asked the newspaper to apologise for those words.
The newspaper did not apologise or withdraw the report.
Police watched the painting and later took the men away.
Another police case had already been filed against some newspaper staff over a complaint about the headline.
The newspaper later painted the pillars white again.
A group of saffron-robed men painted two entrance pillars at the Anandabazar Patrika office near Chandni Chowk on Tuesday.
The demonstration began around 1:30 pm, lasted nearly an hour, and included slogans accusing the newspaper of insulting saffron.
Bowbazar police watched and recorded parts of the incident before escorting the men away; no FIR over the painting was registered.
The protest followed Suvendu Adhikari’s demand that the newspaper apologise for its August 21 headline describing violence at Jadavpur University as “Saffron Hooliganism.”
Police had separately filed an FIR against editor Ishani Datta Ray, chief reporter Soma Mukherjee and others following a complaint by Sanjay Shastri Maharaj.
- Who
- Saffron-robed demonstrators targeted Anandabazar Patrika; Bowbazar police watched and later escorted them away. The protest followed comments by Suvendu Adhikari.
- What
- The demonstrators painted two office pillars saffron and raised slogans demanding an apology over the newspaper’s headline.
- Where
- At the Anandabazar Patrika office near Chandni Chowk in Kolkata, West Bengal.
- When
- The incident occurred on Tuesday from about 1:30 pm for nearly an hour, days after Adhikari’s August 28 remarks about the August 21 headline.
- Why
- The demonstrators and their supporters said the headline’s use of “Saffron Hooliganism” insulted saffron and hurt Hindu sentiments.
Newspaper’s reported position
Critics’ and protesters’ position
Use of the word “saffron”
Newspaper’s reported position
Anandabazar Patrika published a report describing violence at Jadavpur University as “Saffron Hooliganism” and did not apologise or retract it.
Critics’ and protesters’ position
Suvendu Adhikari and the demonstrators objected to linking the colour saffron with hooliganism, saying the wording hurt many people and Hindu sentiments.
Response to the controversy
Newspaper’s reported position
The newspaper published Adhikari’s remarks on its front page and maintained its coverage without issuing the demanded apology.
Critics’ and protesters’ position
Critics called for an apology, while demonstrators painted the office pillars, raised slogans and described the newspaper in hostile terms.
Key facts
- Targeted office
- Anandabazar Patrika office near Chandni Chowk
- Demonstration time
- Tuesday, beginning around 1:30 pm and lasting nearly an hour
- Damage or alteration
- Two pillars at the main entrance were painted saffron and later painted white again
- Disputed headline
- “Saffron Hooliganism: Logo broken during raid on JU campus,” published on August 21
- Political demand
- Suvendu Adhikari publicly demanded an apology from the newspaper on August 28
- Police response
- Bowbazar police watched and recorded parts of the incident, then escorted the demonstrators away
- Legal status
- No FIR was registered over the painting, but an FIR had been filed against newspaper staff over a separate complaint
Quotes
A senior Anandabazar Patrika editor
Senior editor describing security concerns and the police presence
“We had a hunch something like this might happen. We were told not to go to office today. Police officials had come with them and left with them as well”
wionews.com
“Bhagwa ka apmaan nahi sahega”
wionews.com
Suvendu Adhikari
West Bengal chief minister who demanded an apology from the newspaper
“I am not threatening the media. But an apology will have to be made. Otherwise thousands of sadhus in saffron robes are getting ready. They only want my consent. I have said [to them], ‘wait’.”
wionews.com
Sources
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