The attackers of journalist Satyam Mishra should be arrested immediately - Seraj Ahmad Quraishi

Gonda, Uttar Pradesh.

Seraj Ahmad Quraishi, National President of the Indian Journalists Association®, strongly condemned the attack on journalist Satyam Mishra and said that the safety of journalists is not just a demand of any organization, but a fundamental requirement of a democratic system. He said that swift and impartial legal action should be taken against those who attacked journalists. Attempts to intimidate any journalist for news coverage or raising voice for public interest should not be acceptable. Qureshi said that the administration must ensure that journalists can discharge their professional duties without fear or pressure. He demanded that the Gonda police, given the seriousness of the case, conduct an impartial investigation into the role of the named and other suspected accused and take action as per the law, while also ensuring the treatment and safety of the injured journalist. He said that the Indian Journalists Association stands with journalist Satyam Mishra and will continue to raise its voice for the safety, dignity, self-respect, and rights of journalists.

 After an attack on a journalist, it is paramount that the law takes its course and the victim receives justice. If the allegations are proven true, legal action should be taken against the perpetrators to ensure that no journalist, citizen, or democratic voice is ever dared to be suppressed through violence in the future. While attempts can be made to intimidate the pen with sticks, the need to question democracy cannot be eliminated. In a system that claims to strengthen the fourth pillar of democracy, when a journalist is attacked with sticks and sharp weapons in broad daylight near the court gate, the question is not just about the safety of the journalist, but also about the security of the system that assures citizens of the law.

The attack on Satyam Mishra, a journalist for the news portal "Internet Ki Awaaz" in Gonda district on September 25, 2026, has become a matter of serious concern for the journalistic world. Satyam Mishra was drinking tea with a colleague near the civil court gate in the Kotwali area at around 2:30 p.m.  Meanwhile, people armed with sticks and sharp weapons attacked them. Journalist Satyam Mishra suffered serious head and body injuries in the attack. He was immediately admitted to the emergency ward of Gonda Medical College, where he is undergoing treatment. Police have filed an FIR against nine people. Filing an FIR is the first step, but arrests, a fair investigation, and an effective judicial process are even more important. Strict action should be taken against the accused. The injured journalist should be provided with necessary security.