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January 29. 2025 – India –
Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, footage emerged showing law enforcement officials aggressively confronting IANS journalist Gaurav Pandey while he was covering Mauni Amavasya. The viral video captured a police officer grabbing Pandey’s microphone, strangling his hand, and attempting to push him away when he tried to record an interview with an Akhara pic representative in Sector 20 amid heightened security following a fatal stampede on January 29, 2025.
Pandey is seen pursuing the officer while shouting in Hindi, “Tum maarlo aao, tum maar rahe ho na”—essentially challenging the force to use physical violence. The fracas lasted mere seconds before the video cut out.
The deputy newswire City Air News and Suryaa termed the incident “a shocking display of abuse of power,” highlighting the officer’s attempt to block journalists from reporting on arrangements after the stampede injured over 30 pilgrims. Social media responses were mixed: while some users defended the need for calm in chaotic conditions, others condemned the unacceptable interference with press freedoms. One user tweeted, “Tum maarlo aao” in support of the reporter’s bravado, while another reminded caution: “It’s wrong, but IANS team has to understand it’s a very crucial time for everyone, so cooperate with them”.
In response to the backlash, UP police reportedly suspended the officer involved, acknowledging the inappropriateness of the actions after the recording gained traction online.
This clash underscores ongoing tensions between media and state control during large-scale events. It highlights the delicate balancing act required: ensuring journalist access while maintaining public order. Though the suspension suggests acknowledgment of wrongdoing, observers worry this might reflect only surface-level accountability in broader patterns of press suppression. With over 660 million participants, the Maha Kumbh presents immense storytelling importance but also exposes the fragility of media freedoms in high-pressure situations
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