Muslim women journalists accuse Indian police of assault during event coverage

Two women journalists have alleged that they were detained and assaulted by Indian police while covering an event in south Delhi, with one of them claiming the alleged assault intensified after officers learned that they were Muslim.

Shaheen Khan and Nafisa Khan, who work for digital news platform, said they were detained while covering the inauguration of a new wing at a hospital in Saket area on Thursday.

Videos circulated by the news organisation show Shaheen Khan displaying bruises and injuries and Nafisa Khan being carried away after allegedly being unable to walk. The journalists have alleged that police officers slapped them and beat them with sticks.

Shaheen alleged that police first asked for her name and then questioned her about her community after hearing her surname was Khan.

She further alleged that the treatment became harsher after officers learned that she was Muslim. According to her account, an officer noticed an incoming call from someone identified as “Mohammed” on her phone and made a remark suggesting that she should be hit more with sticks.

The allegations have triggered criticism from opposition parties, journalists’ organisations and other groups, while videos showing the journalists’ injuries have circulated widely on social media.

Delhi Police have denied the allegations, saying the journalists were taken to Saket police station after allegedly obstructing a designated VVIP route during an event attended by Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta.

Police described the journalists’ allegations as “factually incorrect”, “misleading” and “baseless”.