Media houses told to reject Sabarimala Karma Samithi "misogyny" in deploying journos

Counterview Desk
The Network of Women in Media, India (NWMI), strongly reacting to the Sabarimala Karma Samithi -- which wrote to editor’s news media owners, asking them to refrain from deputing women of certain age groups from reporting on Sabarimala on November 5, when a special puja was to take place -- has said that all media houses should refuse to entertain such "misogyny" and to "deploy the best journalist for the job, not limiting the choice to men.”
“We also demand the state and the police should give sufficient protection to every reporter, of all gender identities,” the statement says, adding, the Samithi has no right to “interfere with the media and prevent journalists who happen to be women from doing their jobs.”
Women journalists reportedly faced threats at Sabarimala gates when these were scheduled to re-open. They were hit, heckled, and the cars they were travelling in destroyed. Those who faced such attacks included TNM’s Saritha Balan, Republic TV’s Pooja Prasanna, India Today’s Mausami Singh, CNN News18’s Radhika Ramaswamy and NDTV’s Sneha Koshy. The National Commission of Women chairperson Rekha Sharma asked Kerala DGP Loknath Behera to take appropriate action.

Text of the NWMI statement:

The Network of Women in Media, India (NWMI) strongly objects to the statement issued by the Sabarimala Karma Samithi on November 3, 2018, to editors and decision-makers in the news media, requesting them to refrain from deputing women journalists of a particular age group to Sabarimala to cover the reopening of the temple for a special puja on Monday (November 5). We believe this is an unjustified and unacceptable interference in the functioning of the media and an unfair obstacle in the way of journalists –who happen to be women– who wish to cover an important story of public interest.
When the temple opened for monthly puja for five days in October - the first time it was opening after the Supreme Court order lifting the ban on the entry of girls and women in the age group of 10-50 - women reporters attempting to cover the historic occasion were heckled, and both they and their vehicles were attacked, by protesters opposing any change in the status quo. Female devotees in the hitherto proscribed age group were also subjected to harassment and forced to abandon their efforts to reach the temple to pray.
While claiming to recognise the media's right to support or oppose the stand of devotees on this issue, the Samithi requests the media "to take a sympathetic approach to the feelings and aspirations of crores of devotees" and "refrain from deputing women journalists of the above-mentioned age group to Sabarimala." It is significant that it places the onus of "maintaining peace and harmony at the Holy Shrine of Sabarimala" and not aggravating the situation on the media. As a joint platform made up of organisations opposing the entry of women and trying to ensure that the Supreme Court's judgement cannot be implemented, it is they who are in a position to ensure that the protest remains peaceful and violates neither the fundamental rights of female devotees who wish to worship at the temple and nor of female reporters who wish to cover the story.
We believe the Samithi's stand amounts to depriving women journalists of their right to respond to the call of professional duty and responsibility. It also goes against the freedom of expression and right to information that are fundamental rights to which all citizens are entitled. The Samithi and others who oppose the Supreme Court's verdict are welcome to make use of the legal options available to them to pursue their goals. They have no right to interfere with the media and prevent journalists who happen to be women from doing their jobs. Worse, in effect, it amounts to an open threat from the Samithi to women journalists.
We believe editors must not allow veiled threats from various organisations to determine how the media goes about its duty to report on events and processes about which citizens have a right to know.
NWMI requests all media houses to refuse to entertain such misogyny and to deploy the best journalist for the job, not limiting the choice to men.
We also demand the state and the police should give sufficient protection to every reporter, of all gender identities.

Comments

Grueling summer ahead: Cuttack’s alarming health trends and what they mean for Odisha

By Sudhansu R Das The preparation to face the summer should begin early in Odisha. People in the state endure long, grueling summer months starting from mid-February and extending until the end of October. This prolonged heat adversely affects productivity, causes deaths and diseases, and impacts agriculture, tourism and the unorganized sector. The social, economic and cultural life of the state remains severely disrupted during the peak heat months.

Stronger India–Russia partnership highlights a missed energy breakthrough

By N.S. Venkataraman* The recent visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to India was widely publicized across several countries and has attracted significant global attention. The warmth with which Mr. Putin was received by Prime Minister Narendra Modi was particularly noted, prompting policy planners worldwide to examine the implications of this cordial relationship for the global economy and political climate. India–Russia relations have stood on a strong foundation for decades and have consistently withstood geopolitical shifts. This is in marked contrast to India’s ties with the United States, which have experienced fluctuations under different U.S. administrations.

Concerns raised over move to rename MGNREGA, critics call it politically motivated

By A Representative Concerns have been raised over the Union government’s reported move to rename the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), with critics describing it as a politically motivated step rather than an administrative reform. They argue that the proposed change undermines the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi and seeks to appropriate credit for a programme whose relevance has been repeatedly demonstrated, particularly during times of crisis.

A comrade in culture and controversy: Yao Wenyuan’s revolutionary legacy

By Harsh Thakor* This year marks two important anniversaries in Chinese revolutionary history—the 20th death anniversary of Yao Wenyuan, and the 50th anniversary of his seminal essay "On the Social Basis of the Lin Biao Anti-Party Clique". These milestones invite reflection on the man whose pen ignited the first sparks of the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution and whose sharp ideological interventions left an indelible imprint on the political and cultural landscape of socialist China.

From natural farming to fair prices: Young entrepreneurs show a new path

By Bharat Dogra There have been frequent debates on agro-business companies not showing adequate concern for the livelihoods of small farmers. Farmers’ unions have often protested—generally with good reason—that while they do not receive fair returns despite high risks and hard work, corporate interests that merely process the crops produced by farmers earn disproportionately high profits. Hence, there is a growing demand for alternative models of agro-business development that demonstrate genuine commitment to protecting farmer livelihoods.

Swami Vivekananda's views on caste and sexuality were 'painfully' regressive

By Bhaskar Sur* Swami Vivekananda now belongs more to the modern Hindu mythology than reality. It makes a daunting job to discover the real human being who knew unemployment, humiliation of losing a teaching job for 'incompetence', longed in vain for the bliss of a happy conjugal life only to suffer the consequent frustration.

Why India must urgently strengthen its policies for an ageing population

By Bharat Dogra A quiet but far-reaching demographic transformation is reshaping much of the world. As life expectancy rises and birth rates fall, societies are witnessing a rapid increase in the proportion of older people. This shift has profound implications for public policy, and the need to strengthen frameworks for healthy and secure ageing has never been more urgent. India is among the countries where these pressures will intensify most sharply in the coming decades.

Thota Sitaramaiah: An internal pillar of an underground organisation

By Harsh Thakor* Thota Sitaramaiah was regarded within his circles as an example of the many individuals whose work in various underground movements remained largely unknown to the wider public. While some leaders become visible through organisational roles or media attention, many others contribute quietly, without public recognition. Sitaramaiah was considered one such figure. He passed away on December 8, 2025, at the age of 65.

School job scam and the future of university degree holders in West Bengal

By Harasankar Adhikari The school recruitment controversy in West Bengal has emerged as one of the most serious governance challenges in recent years, raising concerns about transparency, institutional accountability, and the broader impact on society. Allegations that school jobs were obtained through irregular means have led to prolonged legal scrutiny, involving both the Calcutta High Court and the Supreme Court of India. In one instance, a panel for high school teacher recruitment was ultimately cancelled after several years of service, following extended judicial proceedings and debate.

Search This Blog