Chandigarh Press Club condemns alleged assault on Punjab Kesari Journalist during PM Modi's visit
Kuljinder Sra
Chandigarh, July 17, 2026: The Chandigarh Press Club has strongly condemned the alleged assault on senior journalist Ramesh Handa, City Chief Editor (Chandigarh Region) of Punjab Kesari, by alleged BJP workers while he was performing his professional duties during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Chandigarh on Friday.
According to a statement issued by the Press Club, Handa was covering the movement of Chandigarh Transport Undertaking (CTU) buses ferrying BJP workers to PEC, Sector 12, the venue of the Prime Minister's programme. He was reporting from Sector 37 when the incident allegedly occurred.
The Press Club stated that while Handa was recording video footage on his mobile phone, some BJP workers who were about to board a bus objected to the recording. It alleged that when the journalist continued filming in the discharge of his professional responsibilities, he was manhandled, his mobile phone was forcibly snatched, and taken away.
Describing the incident as an unlawful obstruction of a journalist performing his duties, the Press Club said any attempt to intimidate, assault or prevent media personnel from carrying out their work strikes at the foundation of press freedom and the public's right to information.
The Chandigarh Press Club has demanded a fair, impartial and time-bound investigation into the incident and sought strict action against those found responsible in accordance with the law.
Expressing solidarity with Ramesh Handa, the Press Club reiterated that violence or intimidation against journalists has no place in a democratic society.