Mukesh Chandrakarborn in Basaguda, Chhattisgarh, grew up amid the state-Maoist conflict in the region. His family was moved to government housing after the violence in Salwa Judum, and after his father’s death, his mother raised both children while working as an anganwadi worker until she died of cancer in 2013. According to a close friend, Mukesh took up various jobs including selling Mahua liquor and working as a bicycle mechanic to meet his needs. Before starting his YouTube channel Bastar Junction, Mukesh worked with local media outlets and worked as a freelance journalist reporting on-site for well-known organizations such as NDTV, News18 and Sahara.
Before starting his YouTube channel Bastar Junction, Mukesh worked with local media outlets and worked as a freelance journalist reporting on-site for well-known organizations such as NDTV, News18 and Sahara.
His personal experiences have profoundly shaped his understanding of the police-Maoist conflict and Adivasi life in the region. Many videos on his YouTube channel highlighted the protests of villagers in Bastar and gave them a platform to share their voices worldwide.
Accordingly Ranjan Das, a journalist and his friend “He was extremely sensitive to Adivasi issues, especially jal, jungle and zamin (water, forest and land).” His coverage of protests by villagers, fake encounters, killings of civilians, poor infrastructure , malnutrition and poor health facilities also made him popular among Adivasis. He loved and lived his work.’
Syed Mahamudur Rahman/NurPhoto via AP
Mukesh had previously received threats for his work.
Ashutosh Bhardwaj, Editor, The Wire Hindi remembershow Mukesh co-authored a report for The Wire Hindi along with Sukma-based journalist Raja Rathore in August last year after four journalists from Bastar were arrested in a seemingly trumped-up case allegedly related to their reporting on illegal mining involving BJP- leaders. The report suggested that the Chhattisgarh police had planted evidence to frame the journalists. The next morning, Mukesh shared a screenshot of a WhatsApp message from a senior IPS officer who had criticized his stance in support of the detained journalists.
“Kuch hoga to nahin na?” Mukesh had asked him in a worried voice. “He disappeared in just a few months and now the BJP-led Chhattisgarh government is promising justice in the case,” writes Ashutosh Bhardwaj.
On December 25, Mukesh reported on the poor condition of roads in Bijapur for NDTV, following which the government launched an investigation. The contractor was his cousin Suresh Chandrakar. In retaliation, Suresh’s brother Ritesh allegedly killed Mukesh, with Suresh being the mastermind, police said.
India: one of the most dangerous countries in the world for journalists
In the World Press Freedom Index, 2024 by Reporters Without Borders (RSF)In 2023, India was ranked 159th out of 180 nations, while in the same index in 2023, it was ranked 161st. However, this shift in rankings is not due to improved situations, but rather to declines in the rankings of other countries.
India is considered one of the most dangerous countries for the media. On average, three to four journalists are killed every year because of their work.
India is considered one of the most dangerous countries for the media. On average, three to four journalists are killed every year because of their work. Those who criticize the government are often harassed, intimidated, threatened and physically attacked online Criminal charges And unjustified arrests.
Source: FII
According to a Report from The wireOn October 27, 2024, two journalists were said to have been beaten up. Hamirpur-based journalists Amit Dwivedi and Shailendra Kumar Mishra have accused Sarila Nagar Panchayat chairman Pawan Anuragi and his associates of beating, stripping and humiliating them at gunpoint. The incident, which was reported to police, allegedly involved forced urine consumption and a video recording of the abuse. The journalists claim that the police action is influenced by political pressure as Anuragi is associated with the ruling BJP.
Another murder of a journalist also occurred on October 30 and 31, 2024. Journalist Dilip Saini was murdered in Fatehpur district.
Crimes against the free press
RSF, in his Report from April 2024mentioned many journalists who were murdered because of their work in India. They also said that nearly half of the 28 journalists who lost their lives during Narendra Modi’s tenure as prime minister, including media directors, investigative reporters and correspondents, worked on environment-related stories.
The increasing crimes against journalists raise serious questions about the repressive nature of the government and the connection between those in power and the region’s strongmen.
Journalists in India are being targeted by both the state and those in power. The increasing crimes against journalists raise serious questions about the repressive nature of the government and the connection between those in power and the region’s strongmen. In most cases of violence against journalists, people in leadership positions are directly or indirectly involved. Given these circumstances, it is imperative to ask what rights journalists have to protect themselves from such crimes or seek justice.
An overview of the existing legal protection for journalists
Article 19(1)(a) of the Indian Constitution guarantees freedom of the press and protects journalists by granting them freedom of speech and expression. Later, in 1966, The Press Council of India was founded with the dual aim of protecting freedom of the press and improving the standards of newspapers and news agencies in India. Under Section 13 of the Press Council Act, 1978, journalists, editors, newspapers or news agencies (relating to print media) may lodge complaints against individuals, organizations or central and state governments which interfere with the free operation of the press by the Council.
Source: BBC
However, its effectiveness in handling complaints is questionable as out of almost 90 complaints, 60% were dismissed, closed or withdrawn, often due to non-compliance or settlements between the parties. Its limited enforcement powers also make it unable to fully guarantee the freedom and safety of journalists.
In response to deficiencies in the core legal framework Several states have begun to enact laws to ensure the safety and protection of journalists. Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh in particular have taken notable steps in this direction.
In 2017, the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly became the first to pass a law to protect journalists and media organizations from attacks, which was later approved by the President in 2019.
The Maharashtra Media Persons and Media Institutions (Prevention of Violence and Damage or Loss to Property) 2017 was the first law in India specifically designed to protect journalists. The law contains provisions to compensate media persons or institutions for damage or loss to their property caused by criminals.
The law contains provisions to compensate media persons or institutions for damage or loss to their property caused by criminals.
It also imposes penalties for misuse of the law, with offenders facing imprisonment of up to three years, a fine of up to ₹50,000, or both. In addition, journalists convicted under the law will lose their eligibility for government benefits and their accreditation cards will be permanently revoked. Furthermore, this law does not contain measures for the safety and protection of media personnel involved in social media, bloggers or freelancers.
On October 4, 2024, a two-judge bench issued an order restraining the Uttar Pradesh Police from taking coercive action against journalist Abhishek Upadhyay over his article on caste dynamics in bureaucratic appointments in the state.
Source: FII
The bench, comprising Justice Hrishikesh Roy and Justice SVN Bhatti, said: “In democratic nations, the freedom to express one’s opinion is respected.” The rights of journalists are protected by Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution of India. Just because a journalist’s writings are perceived as criticism of the government, criminal proceedings should not be directed against the author.”
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, while talking to reporters on the recent murder of journalist Mukesh Chandrakar in Gariaband, said his government would soon introduce a rollout Journalist Protection Act in the state.
While legal protections such as Article 19(1)(a) of the Press Council of India and state laws such as Maharashtra’s Media Persons Act aim to protect press freedom, its restrictions and the increasing attacks on journalists, they highlight the urgent need for stronger ones Protective measures for a fearless working life for journalists, so that journalists do not have to pay the price for their honest work with their lives and safety.