Location: India
Date: February 6, 2021

Pushpa Rokde, a journalist based in Chhattisgarh targeted with death threats, reportedly from a local committee. The threats written on a piece of paper were pinned on a tree near her village. CFWIJ is deeply concerned about the safety of journalist. We demand authorities in Chhattisgarh to investigate the criminals behind this despicable act.

Pushpa Rokde is a journalist based in Bijapur district, Chhattisgarh. On December 13, 2020, a death threat addressing Pushpa was pinned on a tree near her village. Pushpa inquired about it from people nearby but got no answer. The journalist holds the local Maoist group committee responsible for these threats. She also stated that no Maoist group has refused her claims.

Pushpa Rokre is facing death threats because of the journalistic work she has done. The journalist endured similar threats on January 28, 2021. Pushpa received a handwritten note accusing her of being a police informer. That note was also reportedly issued by a local Maoist group. Pushpa worked rigorously in her district to cover maximum social issues and political activities.

Pushpa has done tremendously while reporting from the small town of Chhattisgarh. She covered the atrocities committed by the police. She also stated the issue surrounding the well-being of villagers. On many occasions, she worked bravely to bailout innocent people from police custody. Her coverage also includes the sexual assault crimes committed by security forces.
Journalist and researcher Sameera Khan has expressed concerns about the safety of Pushpa. She said on her Twitter account, “In solidarity with journalist #PushpaRokde in Bastar. Women journalists who live & work in rural & adivasi areas work in precarious, dangerous conditions where upsetting local power equations gets you death threats.”

The Coalition For Women In Journalism is highly alarmed over these death threats to Pushpa Rokde. We demand authorities in Chhattisgarh to apprehend the culprits behind this intimidation and let the journalists feel secure while performing their duties.

The CFWIJ strongly condemns the police brutality against journalists. We demand the immediate return of the press cards seized from the security forces. Policies to intimidate journalists should be abandoned, and journalism should be practiced under the criteria of freedom of the press.

If you have been harassed or abused in any way, and please report the incident by using the following form.