In the long list of people who condoled death of Pulitzer award winner photojournalist Danish Siddiqui on the line of duty, Afghan president Ashraf Ghani is the latest person to have spoken with Danish’s father, expressing his condolences.
Since the death of Danish in Afghanistan while covering for Reuters, many local residents, including university officials, turned up at Danish’s house in Ghaffar Manzil in Okhla to meet his father and express their condolences. Those who turned up in the long list including Jamia Vice Chancellor Najma Akhtar and other university officials and local leaders.
According to HT report, Ghani on Thursday spoke to Danish’s father. The Afghan president said Danish’s death was a “great loss” for the journalism fraternity.
Danish’s father Akhtar Siddiqui, taught at Jamia Millia Islamia’s Faculty of Education till a few years ago. Danish studied mass communication in Jamia’s AJK Mass Communication Research Centre from 2005 to 2007.
A statement from the Afghan presidential palace said: “This afternoon, H.E President @ashrafghani called Professor Sediqi, father of @Reuters journalist late Danish Siddiqui & conveyed his condolences over the death of his son to his family, friends & colleagues. The President termed his death as a great loss for the journalism fraternity.”
Danish won a Pulitzer in 2018. He was killed on July 16 during clashes between Afghan forces and Taliban in the Spin Boldak region of the country, reported the HT.
Danish’s body had reached Delhi on Sunday where a large number of people bid him a tearful adieu. He was laid to rest at Jamia graveyard which had shaped him.
Residents recalled Danish as a compassionate man who was always ready to guide youngsters. He was role model for many youths as he was the only Indian journalists to have ever won Pulitzer.
