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Indian-American leaders condemn assault on journalist in Dallas
The incident, which occurred during an interview with Indian Overseas Congress (IOC) chief Sam Pitroda in Dallas, has sparked significant backlash within the Indian American community and beyond.
Congressmen Ro Khanna, Shri Thanedar and Ajay Bhutoria. / Facebook
According to a statement by the National Press Club, during an interview between Sharma and Sam Pitroda, Chair of the India Overseas Congress, at a Dallas hotel, audience members, including Rahul Gandhi's staff, objected to the final question. They interrupted the interview, forcibly took Sharma's phone, and deleted recordings.
Pitroda, unaware of the disruption, later apologized, while Gandhi addressed a similar question at a later event. Security overstepped by interfering with the interview, violating Sharma's First Amendment rights, the National Press Club said.
Ro Khanna, Democratic representative from California took to social media to criticize the actions of Gandhi’s team, describing them as a direct violation of press freedom. “It’s unethical and a betrayal of free speech for handlers to have snatched his phone, shoved him, and deleted his recordings,” Khanna's post on X read.
I stand with @DcWalaDesi and am unequivocal in my support for the 1st Amendment. He is a fair journalist. It's unethical and a betrayal of free speech for handlers to have snatched his phone, shoved him, & deleted his recordings. https://t.co/xkElgmhKXc
— Ro Khanna (@RoKhanna) September 17, 2024
National Press Club president Emily Wilkins also called for accountability over the violation of Sharma’s First Amendment rights. In a statement, Wilkins said, “The security team had no right or standing to take Sharma's phone from him or delete content,” emphasizing that the actions of Gandhi’s staff were inappropriate during an on-the-record interview.
The incident has drawn wider scrutiny, with calls from leaders like Indian American Rep. Shri Thanedar, who wrote on X, “Such attack on a member of press is totally unacceptable.”
Ajay Bhutoria, a prominent Indian American community leader also expressed his outrage over the assault, which involved the manhandling of Sharma and the confiscation of his phone by Gandhi's staff. “I unequivocally condemn the assault on Rohit Sharma,” Bhutoria said in a statement.
“A free and independent media is the backbone of any democracy, and the mistreatment of a journalist for asking a question is an attack on press freedom. I urge the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate this matter thoroughly and ensure that those responsible are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” he added.
As the investigation unfolds, Bhutoria urged the Indian American community to stand united in defense of democratic values and journalistic freedom. “No one should be subjected to intimidation or violence for simply doing their job,” he concluded.
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