Pics: Rons Bantwal
Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai (SP)

Mumbai, Jun 22: A protest rally condemning the murder of Jyotirmoy Dey, a senior journalist from the metro who had served journalism meritoriously, was led by the Press Club Mumbai in association along with Marathi Patrakar Sangh and other organizations here recently. 

The rally was marked by silent procession. It was initiated from the office of Mumbai Marathi Patrakar Sangh and Press Club Mumbai at Azad Maidan here. The secretary to the Chief Minister was present there along with some government officers to talk to the leaders of the journalists. The protestors, who dug in their heels, insisted on the presence of the Chief Minister there, and demanded that the CM should address the protestors.

As the protestors stood firm on their demand, Chief Minister, Ashok Chavan, allowed the journalists to enter through the main gate of the secretariat, and conveyed information that he would be addressing them in two minutes. The journalists registered a strong protest when the CM failed to come there even after 20 minutes, by raising slogans for the presence of the CM. Some of the journalists were preparing to go back, while some others were trying to enter the building, when the CM came on the scene.

He gave a patient hearing to the demands of the journalists and said that he strongly condemns the murder of Jyotirmoy Dey. He added that the government had spread its net to nab the culprits in the case. He explained that he had held several rounds of talks with ministers, top police officers, and others. At the same time, he refused to give in to the demand for the resignations of home minister, R R Patil, and city police commissioner, Arun Patnayak. Saying that he was ready to hold dialogue with the delegation of journalist soon, he went away.

Press Club president, Gurbir Singh, secretary, Sunil Shivdasani, president of Marathi Patrakar Sangh, Prakash, secretary, Vijay Kumar Bandal, a number of office bearers, members, heads of publications from the city and suburbs, senior journalists, honorary general secretary of Kannadiga Journalists Association Maharashtra (Regd), Rons Bantwal, Jaya Poojary, and scores of others were present.