Amanatullah Khan, the incumbent Okhla MLA and AAP candidate seeking a third term, lost his temper during an interaction with a Republic TV reporter. The incident was captured on a viral video.
The reporter asked Khan: “Do you have any shame for what happened yesterday?” The question seemed to unsettle Khan, as his facial expression reflected agitation. He responded angrily: “What kind of talk is this? Is this how you speak? How are you talking? Get out of here.”
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At this point, an AAP worker intervened and tried to intimidate the reporter, ordering him to leave. However, Khan stepped in, removed the worker, and resumed the conversation with the reporter and reprimanded his follower.
The reporter stood firm, asking: “Do you have any shame for what your son has done?”
Khan, visibly upset, replied, “What did he do?”
The reporter explained, “Your son broke the law.”
Khan then explained: “He was riding his motorcycle in the lane. The SHO came and misbehaved. The SHO made a video, which was later made viral. How did you know about the incident? How did the video reach you?”
The reporter responded, “Your son said my father is an MLA.”
Khan replied, “My son is the son of an MLA.”
The reporter then asked, “How can you be so arrogant?”
To this, Khan responded, “Come on, get out of here. I’ll beat you up, get out of here.”
Reporter’s question about son unsettles Amanatullah Khan
The reporter’s question about his son unsettled Amanatullah Khan. The question pertained to a viral video showing an argument between police officials and Khan’s son, Mohammad Anas, after he was stopped on Nafees Road.
The Station House Officer (SHO) ordered the confiscation of Anas’s motorcycle and imposed a ₹20,000 fine, alleging the use of modified silencers. According to residents, the SHO has previously conducted drives against modified silencers. Amanatullah even issued a video statement over the incident.
Key points
1. Amanatullah Khan intimidated a Republic TV reporter over questions about his son in a viral video.
2. Khan’s son, Mohammad Anas, faced a ₹20,000 fine, and his bike was seized for using modified silencers, causing controversy.
3. Both Amanatullah Khan and Asif Md Khan are accused of threatening journalists, with their followers trolling reporters for covering local issues.
4. Some observers think the reporter deliberately provoked Amanatullah Khan for TRP, though the MLA could have handled it better.
5. India’s press freedom ranking dropped to 161 in 2023, reflecting rising violence, intimidation, and job losses for journalists.
Local journalists, speaking on the condition of anonymity, claimed that both Amanatullah Khan and Asif Md Khan and other leaders have a history of intimidating journalists. And worst are their followers and many who move in the garb of activists who troll reporters for raising even civic issues. Covering local issues comes with its own challenges and hardships, as it is nearly impossible to satisfy everyone.
One journalist recalled an incident years ago when Amanatullah lashed out at an Urdu journalist for publishing a story he disliked. Similarly, Asif Md Khan is described as ill-tempered, often expecting journalists to act as mouthpieces for local leaders.
However, a resident suggested that the Republic TV reporter’s question was a deliberate attempt to provoke Amanatullah Khan for TRP, and Khan fell into the trap. “At a time when many journalists in Godi Media remain silent and avoid questioning politicians, this reporter chose to be rude,” said one journalist anonymously. Local observers added that while the reporter’s approach was provocative, Amanatullah could have handled the situation more calmly. The game of Godi Media has begun. All workers and office bearers are advised to remain calm, said an AAP worker online.
Press Freedom under threat
Intimidation and violence against journalists remain significant issues across India, reflecting a troubling trend for press freedom. According to the 2023 World Press Freedom Index, released by global media watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF), India’s ranking has plummeted to 161 out of 180 countries, a sharp decline from its 2022 position at 150.
Despite constitutional guarantees of freedom of speech and expression, journalists and media organisations in India continue to face growing challenges in reporting on issues vital to democracy. Over the past two decades, more than 50 journalists have been killed in the country, with many others imprisoned on charges related to anti-State activities. This erosion of press freedom underscores the urgent need to protect journalists and ensure a safer environment for independent reporting. There have been cases of journalists losing their jobs over tweets.
