Despite being abused and thrashed by the workers of a political party, this woman journalist braved the attacks and covered the Sabarimala protests on Wednesday in Thiruvananthapuram.
Thanks to social media, the photos and videos have gone viral where camerawoman working with Kairali TV, Shaajila Ali Fathima was brought to tears for just doing her duty as a journalist.
Tearful Fatima was photographed holding up her camera to shoot the protests. She was repeatedly attacked by the protesting BJP workers, thrashed and abused for covering the story.
“I was shocked when I got that unexpected kick on my back. It was the worst experience in my professional career. I didn’t know where that kick came from. It caught me unawares and hurt my back. The attackers tried to snatch the camera, but I used all my strength to keep hold of it. In the process, I also injured my neck. But for me, it is duty first.” said Shaajila to News18.
To protest against the assaults, several journalists protested in the state capital on Thursday by staging a march.
On January 2, there were protests by BJP workers after two women entered the Sabarimala temple, which traditionally bans the women of menstruating age to enter the temple premises.
According to the India Today report, an umbrella organization of various pro-Hindutva groups, Sabarimala Karma Samithi, and the Antarrashtriya Hindu Parishad (AHP) called for the protests and shutdown.