NEW DELHI: A delegation of Jammu and Kashmir Young Journalist Association (JKYJA) participated in solidarity march organized in New Delhi to mark one month of Bangalore-based Journalist Gauri Lankesh's murder. The JKYJA delegation was led by Onlykashmir.in Chief Editor Bilal Bashir Bhat. The rally saw the participation of over 800 journalists and activists from different places.
The rally titled ‘March for Justice’ from Mandi House to Jantar Mantar raised slogans and holding placards which reads, “Bol ke lab azad hai tere bol, ke ab nahi toh kab bolenge? (Speak up for your words are free, if not now then when?)” “Gauri disagreed, we all disagree, we will all march, you can’t silence us,” “End the killing of dissenting voices,” etc. The march ended at Jantar Mantar, where number of renowned journalists and activists addressed the protestors during which they condemned the murder and pledged not to allow anyone to snatch the freedom of press.
Interacting with the media persons on the occasion, Bilal Bashir Bhat said to suppress the sane voices in a democratic setup is a shame for whole nation in general and ruling dispensation in particular, adding, today’s protest attended by large number of journalists from different places demanded justice for their fellow professional and an exhibition of unity among journalist irrespective the political ideologies. Pertinently, Journalist Gauri Lankesh, who was the editor of ‘Lankesh Patrike’, was shot dead by unidentified men outside her residence in Bengaluru on September 5.