Editors Guild condemns attack on Outlook office in Mumbai

The Editors Guild of India has strongly condemns the barbarous attack on the office of Outlook magazine in Mumbai by the Shiv Sena on August 14.

New Delhi, Aug.15 : The Editors Guild of India has strongly condemns the barbarous attack on the office of Outlook magazine in Mumbai by the Shiv Sena on August 14.

It said that the Shiv Sainiks had taken the law into their own hands by ransacking the office and had threatened staff members. Office furniture and computers were smashed.

"The threats issued to the magazine that the members of Shiv Sena would again attack the newsmagazine's offices is a direct attack on the freedom of the press, especially in a democratic set up where political parties are dutybound to eschew violence," the Guild said in a statement.

"The miscreants questioned the right of the media to publish critical comments. This intolerant attitude is unacceptable in a democratic set up," the statement added.

The Editor in Chief of Outlook, Vinod Mehta, has already asked Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh to provide protection to the magazine's offices and staff in the state.

"The Guild demands that the Maharashtra should immediately provide protection, and also initiate legal proceedings against those who perpetrated the attack. The Shiv Sena too should take action against such of its members who have indulged in this attack.The Guild urges civil society to mobile itself to protect freedom of expression, which was sought to be undermined in Mumbai," the statement said.

ANI