Journalists Rally in Kolkata Against NEET Paper Leak Violence

In Kolkata, hundreds of journalists rallied to protest against violence directed at media personnel during a demonstration related to the NEET paper leak. The event highlighted the injuries sustained by journalists and called for enhanced safety measures while covering political events. Chief Minister Shubhendu Adhikari addressed the issue, condemning attacks on journalists and emphasizing the need for accountability. The memorandum submitted by media representatives stressed the importance of press freedom and the right to report without fear. This rally reflects ongoing concerns about the safety of journalists, particularly women, in politically charged environments.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 27, 2026, 17:39 IST

Protest Against Violence Towards Media Personnel

On July 27, in Kolkata, West Bengal, hundreds of journalists from both print and electronic media gathered for a rally on Monday. They protested against the alleged attacks on media personnel during a demonstration on July 24, which was held in response to the leak of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) question paper. Several journalists sustained injuries during this protest. Reporters, photojournalists, videographers, and digital content creators from Kolkata and various districts participated in this rally.

The rally commenced at the Press Club and concluded on Rani Rasmani Avenue. Journalists formed a human chain to advocate for the safety of media personnel while fulfilling their professional duties. In connection with the violence that occurred during the July 24 march against the NEET paper leak, police have arrested 16 individuals so far.

Among those arrested, five were taken to Dorina Crossing in Esplanade on Monday for a reenactment of the events. Journalists injured during the protest visited Lok Bhawan during the day to meet with officials, providing them with details of the incident and requesting intervention in the matter.

At that time, Governor R.N. Ravi was not present at Lok Bhawan. Subsequently, a delegation of journalists submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister Shubhendu Adhikari in Jalpaiguri, located in the northern part of the state. The memorandum called for concrete measures to ensure the safety of journalists while covering political rallies and other public events.

Shubhendu stated that attacks on journalists are unacceptable. He claimed that complaints filed by injured journalists during previous administrations often remained limited to general diaries (GDs) and were not converted into formal cases. The Chief Minister noted that the current BJP government has registered a case regarding the attacks and arrested 16 individuals under non-bailable sections of the law.

He also mentioned that he had personally visited hospitals to meet injured journalists on several occasions in the past when they faced attacks or assaults. The media representatives appreciated the Chief Minister's prompt response following the incident on July 24. However, they expressed concern that attacks on journalists while performing their duties create an atmosphere of fear and insecurity, particularly for female journalists covering political protests and public events.

The memorandum emphasized that the freedom of expression under Article 19(1)(A) of the Constitution includes the freedom of the press, allowing journalists to gather, record, and disseminate information without fear, pressure, or violence. It highlighted that attacks on journalists not only violate their constitutional rights but also undermine the public's right to receive accurate and independent information.