Over 2000 angry protesters — led by local Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) leaders — barged into the office of Headlines Today news channel on Friday and vandalised the ground floor of the Videocon Towers at Jhandewalan in New Delhi. The mob was protesting a sting operation aired by Headlines Today, which linked RSS leader Indresh Kumar with Devender Gupta — a key accused in the Ajmer blasts.
The Times of India reported: [Link]
Police sources said they were taken by "surprise" by the sudden congregation and their efforts to "indulge in violence". "We had inputs that over 100 RSS men might try and converge at the office premises and hand over a memorandum. Accordingly, one platoon — consisting of around 30 men — was placed outside the office. However, around 5.30pm, the protesters' numbers swelled to 2000, out of which at least 500 men forced their way into the office building." "In the melee, glass doors of the building shattered and a number of flower pots broke. We had to rush in three companies from the CP reserve to control the situation," said a senior central district officer.
Till reports last came in, at least eight protesters have been arrested by the central district police. "We have registered a case under various sections like rioting, disobeying public officers and damaging public property at the Paharganj police station. We have asked for clipping from the three private channels and are identifying the culprits through the videos. More arrests are likely throughout the night," said Karnal Singh, joint commissioner of police (Northern Range).
The protesters later raised slogans against the media. However, the demonstration lasted for only half-an-hour. Sources said local security guards reacted swiftly, shutting off the lifts and barring access to the staircase, restricting the activists to the ground floor.
Kamlesh Kumar Rana, a security guard on duty said, "We immediately switched off the lifts. First a few activists came in and broke the main glass door. Then they started coming in groups of hundreds and broke everything they could find. After shutting all the routes to the main office, I ran for my life."
Headlines Today's executive producer Rahul Kanwal told TOI, "People with saffron leanings came into our office and ransacked the place, causing serious damage to property. I condemn this act of RSS. If they had a problem with our show, they should have filed a case against us or gone to the Writers' Guild. This method only shows their weakness as an organization. We will not be intimidated by such cowardly acts."
When contacted, Ramesh P Sharma, president of RSS's Delhi unit claimed that the attack was a story "concocted" by the channel and the police. "We are shocked by the allegations. Our men had organized a peaceful protest. A few of our men reached the office a few minutes before the main group could assemble. This group had gone in. When they were exiting the building there was a minor skirmish with security personnel, which is being blown out of proportion," Sharma claimed.
