India: CFWIJ Welcomes The Arrest Of The Culprit Behind The Online Harassment Of Rohini Singh
Location: India
Date: February 2, 2021
Rohini Singh, a senior journalist and contributor to The Wire, was targeted online with rape and death threats from a Twitter user named Kapil Singh Viayan. Singh reported the threats to both Twitter and the Udaipur Police. The criminal was soon arrested, and the journalist thanked the police for their quick response. She emphasized that disagreement should never lead to such malicious threats. CFWIJ welcomes the arrest of the culprit but remains alarmed by the online harassment targeting journalists. We stand in solidarity with Rohini Singh.
Rohini Singh, a senior journalist and contributor to The Wire, was subjected to online harassment, including rape and death threats. Rohini is very vocal about the farmers' protests and often tweets about the struggle and mistreatment journalists face during this time. On January 29, she tweeted about threats she received from a Twitter handle, tagging the Udaipur Police stating, “Dear @IgpUdaipur, this handle-@KViayan is sending me rape and murder threats on Twitter DM. He is Udaipur based. Bringing this criminal to your attention. @ashokgehlot5’’
Dear @IgpUdaipur, this handle- @KViayan is sending me rape and murder threats on Twitter DM. He is Udaipur based. Bringing this criminal to your attention. @ashokgehlot51
— Rohini Singh (@rohini_sgh) January 29, 2021
In a matter of few hours, Udaipur Police took action and replied they are taking the person responsible for threatening Rohini into custody, “In the case of threatening journalist Rohini Singh for murder and rape, Govardhan Vilas Police Station Udaipur has registered case No. 40/21 Section 506,509 in IPC and 67 IT Act, and accused Kapil Singh is being taken into custody and being questioned.”
Rohini appreciated the prompt action taken by Udaipur police and said, “Thank you @UdaipurPolice @ashokgehlot51 for prompt action. Disagreement should never be an excuse to indulge in abuse and rape and murder threats. We need safer spaces for women— online and offline.”
Thank you @UdaipurPolice @ashokgehlot51 for prompt action. Disagreement should never be an excuse to indulge in abuse and rape and murder threats. We need safer spaces for women- online and off line. https://t.co/2lCZcAZitt
— Rohini Singh (@rohini_sgh) January 30, 2021
Since the farmers' protests have erupted across India, there have been numerous reports of journalists facing impediments in the field and online for their reporting. Recently, we recorded a statement about journalist Preeti Chaudhary and her fellow women reporters who have faced physical assault while covering the farmers’ protests. There was another case of Neha Dixit, a reporter from New Delhi, who spoke about being stalked and threatened.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism stands in solidarity with these brave and dedicated women journalists. We hope the Indian authorities will take the necessary steps to ensure journalists’ safety and security throughout the country.
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.