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September 23, 2024 – India –
Broadcast journalist Salman Ali Khan, aged 35 and affiliated with a local TV channel and YouTube, was tragically shot dead by three unidentified assailants on motorcycles near a hospital in Rajgarh district, Madhya Pradesh, on the evening of September 17, 2024. He was riding with his nine-year-old son when attackers opened fire; Khan was rushed to the hospital but died upon arrival. Earlier in February 2023, Khan had suffered a violent assault, attacked with a sword and knife, possibly motivated by a personal feud, which also injured his brother.
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), alongside its affiliate the Indian Journalists Union (IJU), strongly condemned the incident and demanded an urgent, transparent investigation. A police case has been registered under Section 103 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, and investigations are ongoing. The IJU highlighted the failure to protect Khan despite prior threats, urging state authorities in Madhya Pradesh to ensure safety measures for journalists. IJU President Geetartha Pathak and Secretary-General Sabina Inderjit emphasized rising attacks motivated by personal, criminal, or political reasons.
The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) in Geneva echoed these concerns, noting India remains among the most dangerous countries for journalists in South Asia—second only to Pakistan—and called for a fair probe to hold perpetrators accountable. PEC also highlighted that two other journalists, Shivshankar Jha (June 25, Bihar) and Ashutosh Srivastava (May 13, Uttar Pradesh), were killed earlier in 2024. Khan’s death marks at least the third journalist killing in India this year.
IFJ General Secretary Anthony Bellanger urged authorities to “ensure that those responsible are not allowed to escape with impunity,” underscoring the need for swift justice. The IJU demanded compensation for Khan’s family and broader protections for journalists, calling out repeated lapses by law enforcement.
Salman Ali Khan’s killing starkly highlights the pervasive threats Indian journalists face—ranging from personal vendettas to political violence—and reinforces an urgent need for systemic safeguards and accountability to protect free press and journalist safety.
Reference –
https://arunachaltimes.in/index.php/2024/09/20/iju-demands-justice-for-slain-journalist/
