Outrage against The Print for ‘leaking’ Sheikh Hasina’s location; journalist doesn’t respond

NEW DELHI: Ananya Bharadwaj of The Print, a digital news publisher that competes with The New Indian, has come under the scrutiny following her recent article that disclosed the location of Sheikh Hasina, the former Prime Minister of Bangladesh, who is currently living in India under protective custody.

 

Till the publication of the article in The Print, neither the Indian government nor any police official or Bangladesh government has commented on Hasina’s stay in India or her asylum status, keeping in the view of her civil liberties, security threat and otherwise.

 

The revelation by the article has sparked outrage across social media and from prominent journalists.

 

The story headlined Sheikh Hasina is in Lutyens’ Delhi under tight security ring, left Hindon base, drew sharp criticism and a volley of questions about the intent of the news portal in disclosing Hasina’s location.

 

In response, the Hindu IT Cell has filed a formal complaint with the Home Ministry against the media company for violating the Official Secrets Act (OSA).

 

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Speaking to The New Indian, Akshit Singh, a founding member of the Hindu IT Cell, stated, “I have filed a complaint to the Home Ministry against Ananya Bharadwaj of The Print regarding security concerns for VIP guest Sheikh Hasina. Her status as an unofficial guest makes the leaked information unacceptable, putting her life at risk. We demand to know the motives behind this reporting and urge the Home Ministry to take action for violating the Official Secrets Act.”

 

The complaint highlights the serious implications of revealing such sensitive information, particularly as Sheikh Hasina faces threats from her political adversaries in Bangladesh. Singh emphasized that the act of publishing the article could be considered treasonous and should not be tolerated in the name of press freedom.

 

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When approached for comment by The New Indian, Ananya Bharadwaj declined to speak on the matter, leaving many questions unanswered regarding the editorial decisions behind the publication of her article.

 

The situation raises important concerns about the balance between press freedom and national security, particularly when it involves sensitive political figures seeking refuge.

 

As the Home Ministry reviews the complaint, the implications of this case could set a precedent for how journalists report on matters involving foreign dignitaries and asylum seekers in the future.

 

The Hindu IT Cell continues to advocate for accountability, urging swift action from authorities to address the alleged violation and protect the safety of Sheikh Hasina during her time in India.

 

Social media outrage over The Print’s disclosure of sensitive information

 

The backlash against Bharadwaj’s reporting has been severe, with several senior media figures condemning her actions on social media.

 

The backlash against Bharadwaj’s reporting has been severe, with several senior media figures condemning her actions on social media. Senior media personality Anand Ranganathan tweeted, “Unbelievable the Print India has just given away the location of Sheikh Hasina – where she is being put up in Delhi, what type of security cover is protecting her, down to which park she visits for a stroll.

 

Unbelievable. @ThePrintIndia has just given away the location of Sheikh Hasina – where she is being put up in Delhi, what type of security cover is protecting her, down to which park she visits for a stroll.

This is an invitation to her murder through a terror attack. @HMOIndia

— Anand Ranganathan (@ARanganathan72) October 24, 2024

Additionally, Shefali Vaidya raised suspicions on social media, asking, “So who paid Coupta to leak the location of Shaikh Haseena, any guesses?”

 

So who paid Coupta to leak the location of Shaikh Haseena, any guesses?

— Shefali Vaidya. 🇮🇳 (@ShefVaidya) October 25, 2024

 

Journalist Smita Deshmukh criticized the reporting standards of Indian journalists, stating, “Indian journos fail to understand the fundamentals of their job responsibility.”

 

Indian journos fail to understand the fundamentals of their job – responsibility

— Smita Deshmukh🇮🇳 (@smitadeshmukh) October 24, 2024

 

Rohan Dua, Executive Editor of The New Indian, wrote on X, arguing, “India must immediately invoke the Official Secrets Act on publication for exposing an asylee foreign head to her country’s fundamentalists baying for her blood. Sharing Hasina’s stay in Delhi is reckless.” Dua called for an FIR and for exemplary proceedings to be initiated against publication for possibly endangering the life of an asylum seeker.

 

India must immediately invoke Official Secrets Act (OSA)on publication for exposing an asylee foreign head to her country’s fundamentalists baying for her blood

Sharing Hasina stays in Delhi in MP home?‼️

The author/publisher be named in FIR & exemplary proceedings be initiated

— Rohan Dua (@rohanduaT02) October 25, 2024

 

 

Social media users expressed their outrage, with @nalinirathnam posting, “Shame on you!!!!! How do you live with yourself?”

 

Shame on you!!!!! 🤬
How do you live with yourself?

— Nalini Rathnam (@nalinirathnam) October 24, 2024

Another user @ShineHamesha asked, “Who in their right frame of mind will disclose the address of a woman hiding for her life? Gold standard journalism.”

Who in their right frame of mind will disclose the address of a woman hiding for her life?

Gold standard journalism.🙄

— Shining Star (@ShineHamesha) October 24, 2024

 

There were also renowned social media influencers who remarked on the issue. @OverHorizon404 commented, “How to compromise the security of a state guest 101. What is the purpose of this story? It gives details of Former PM Sheikh Hasina’s current residence and the park she takes walks in. Irresponsible reporting by @ThePrintIndia, compromising security recklessly. I hope authorities look into the source of this leak.”

 

How to compromise security of a state guest 101

What is the purpose of this story? It gives details of Former PM Sheikh Hasina’s current residence and the park she takes walks in.

Irresponsible reporting by @ThePrintIndia Compromising security recklessly. I hope authorities…

— Over Horizon (@OverHorizon404) October 24, 2024