The Shillong Times editor Patricia Mukhim resigns from Editors Guild of India

By Dilip -

NB: Patricia Mukhim has a record of exposing and condemning communal and intolerant behaviour even when it emanates from her co-religionists and fellow tribal residents of Shillong. She has campaigned against militancy and fought for communal harmony throughout her career. Instead of appreciating her journalistic integrity, her courage and her humanity, she has been punished and implicated in a criminal case; one which the Meghalaya High Court refused to vacate. In India today it is a crime to defend human rights and secular values. Shame on the High Court; and shame on the Editor's guild for refusing to defend Patricia Mukhim. Let us all salute this brave lady. DS

Editor of The Shillong Times Patricia Mukhim on Tuesday resigned as member of Editors Guild of India (EGI) in protest against what she called, the organization’s “complete silence” on the recent High Court ruling which refused to quash an FIR against her and held her guilty of creating communal disharmony through her Facebook post in July. The veteran journalist, who is known for her vocal stand on many issues and rights of the lesser known voices across the North East, said the Guild was silent about her case, while it issued statements condemning the arrest of non-member Arnab Goswami whose arrest was not even on grounds of journalistic pursuits.

On November 10, the single bench judge of Meghalaya High Court in his ruling found Ms. Mukhim guilty of creating communal disharmony a crime under Section 153 CrPC and refused to quash an FIR filed by the Lawsohtun Dorbar Shnong (a traditional institution).

“Now that Deepavali is done and dusted and things are back to business as usual, I wish to convey to you and all the members of this much revered league of editors of the most prestigious publications in this country that I now wish to resign from its membership. Kindly therefore accept my resignation today, November 16, 2020,” the Padmashree awardee said in a letter addressed to EGI president Seema Mustafa.

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/the-shillong-times-editor-patricia-mukhim-resigns-from-editors-guild-of-india/article33122911.ece

More posts referencing Patricia Mukhim

Supreme Court lays emphasis on protecting personal liberty

Tavleen Singh on government ministers suddenly defending press freedom / Arfa Khanum Sherwani: I’m a Journalist, That’s Why I Don’t Stand With Arnab Goswami

Colin Gonsalves: Refusal of bail to Sudha Bharadwaj is based on inadmissible evidence

Pratap Bhanu Mehta: The loneliness of Varavara Rao, Anand Teltumbde, Sudha Bharadwaj tells a disquieting tale


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