01
New Delhi: Zee News salutes the exemplary courage of yet another victim of police brutality, and is the first among media houses to give voice to her plight. In an appalling incident, a young woman was publicly assaulted, and brutalized by the Punjab Police, in Taran Taran district of Punjab. Zee News remains firm in its resolve to demand justice for the victim. The latest atrocity does nothing to change the perception that authorities remain interested in only paying lip service to the cause of securing rights of women in the country, while little change is effected on the ground.
Zee News has also taken the initiative in asking its viewers to raise their voice against such atrocities and induce change by giving voice to those who are ignored by the mainstream. In keeping with its adopted philosophy of Soch Badlo Desh Badlo, Zee News has consistently endeavored to inform its viewers about the facts of the case, in a transparent and non-partial manner, building consensus for action against those who openly flout the law.
Zee News broadcast ?Kab Badlegi Soch-Sharm Karo? on 5th March, a special show apart from covering the shocking incident in its regular news bulletins. Through participation of spokespersons for women?s rights, as well as other social commentators, Zee News urged its viewers to not only oppose violence against women, but also build consensus and condemned the unquestionably barbaric action of the Punjab Police. Former IPS officer, Kiran Bedi joined Zee News in not only condemning the entire incident in the strongest terms possible, but also offered constructive suggestions about starting a campaign to provide justice to the victim. Mamta Sharma, Chariperson of the National Commission for Women also joined Zee News, saying that the NCW had taken cognizance of the entire episode and promised to pursue the matter with the highest authorities.
By giving a voice to the victim of the horrendous brutality, and giving her a space to air her grievances on a public platform, it was revealed how the victim was not only brutalized and humiliated by the police, but also how her family members were harassed by those charged with their safe-keeping. What was even more shocking was the fact that the victim had approached the police to register a complaint against her harassment. While personnel of the Punjab Police assaulted her with batons, as well as physically beat her up, in the process tearing her clothes, they did not relent even when she begged for mercy. Later on, according to the victim, after the media got wind of the details of the incident, they sought to bribe her.
Zee News firmly believes that by merely enacting laws, or allocating funds for safety of women in the country, those charged with their safe-keeping cannot claim to have fulfilled their responsibility. Zee News Editor, Sudhir Chaudhary said ?Unless an eco-system of accountability is manufactured and takes root in the country such despicable incidents will keep on occurring. We must stand by victims of violence so that they can stand tall, and demand justice.? Underlining Zee News? resolve to support such victims, Sudhir Chaudhary added that ?Zee News was the only channel in the country which aired the interview of the only eye-witness of the horrific rape that occurred in the nation?s capital in December last. By giving a voice to Nirbhaya?s friend, Zee News played its role of a responsible news channel and served the cause of justice.? Sudhir Chaudhary also promised similar resolve in the case of the Taran Taran victim.
