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Journalist hurls shoe at P Chidambaram

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Express news service

Posted: Apr 07, 2009 at 1611 hrs IST
Journalist

New Delhi A journalist threw a shoe at Home Minister P Chidambaram at a press conference on Tuesday, protesting against the minister's reply on his question on CBI's clean chit to Congress leader Jagdish Tytler in the 1984 Sikh riots case.

The shoe did not hit the minister and the journalist, a senior reporter with Dainik Jagran, was taken into custody.

The press conference was being held at the Congress headquarters where Chidambaram was presenting his party's report card on terrorism. The journalist asked the minister whether letting Tytler off the hook ahead of the elections was not politically motivated.

To which Chidambaram replied that CBI had only presented a report to the court and it was up to the court to either accept or reject it. The journalist wanted to ask another question but Chidambaram said he did not want to get into an argument and refused to take further questions.

The journalist then threw his shoe at the minister, saying 'I protest'.

It is the first of its kind incident in India but throwing shoes at political leaders has become a high-profile form of protest. The trend was started by an Iraqi journalist who had thrown shoes at former US President George Bush at a press conference in Baghdad last year.

Thereafter, the Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao was meted a similar treatment while delivering a speech at Cambridge University. The Israeli ambassador to Sweden was also hit by a shoe when he was addressing an audience in Stockholm University.

Jarnail Singh released

Journalist Jarnail Singh who hurled a shoe at Home Minister P Chidambaram at a press conference was released by police after brief detention.

Station House Officer of Tughlaq Road Police station Anil Kumar Yadav told reporters that the scribe has been freed for the time being.

"No case has been registered against him. He has regretted about his action," the official said, adding that the journalist was questioned for his action and then he was released.

After being freed, the Sikh journalist of a Hindi daily, who has caused a flutter in the political circle, said the issue that he raised was an appropriate issue and the victims should get justice.

"May be my way of protest was wrong," said the scribe who later left with his journalist friends and Sikh supporters.

Meanwhile, Sunita Tiwari, who claimed to be his lawyer and had come to meet him at the police station, alleged that she was not allowed to talk to her client.

"I was misbehaved. The SHO asked the constables to take me out of the room. I wanted to talk to Jarnail as he was mentally disturbed," she said.

BJP condemns shoe hurling incident

BJP condemned hurling of a shoe at Home Minister P Chidambaram by a Sikh journalist at a press conference in New Delhi. "We condemn the incident," BJP spokesperson Balbir Punj said in New Delhi.

Jarnail Singh of a Hindi daily hurled a shoe at Chidambaram protesting against CBI's clean chit to senior Congress leader Jagdish Tytler accused in 1984 anti-Sikh riots case.

Chidambaram was addressing a press conference at the AICC headquarters.

(With PTI inputs)

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Indians are bak with heroism ! by HARITHA PREETHI on 07 Apr 2009

i hope this would be the first step to demolish all the atrocities happening in this country every indian must fight for a splendid india. all administers must be destroyed n dere shld b a new set of young rulers for the country let all indians join our hands to work 4 it ! VANDE MATARAM !!!!!!

Starting a Shoe throwing school by Arjun on 07 Apr 2009

Shoe throwing at tricky Politicians is in general not a bad idea. Its a growing trend but unfortunatly all 3 throws have missed their target. I will be starting a shoe throwing school. I wll even have a money back guarante to improve your accuracy to 75% hit rate on the most corrupt of politicians. Aerodynamic shoes wil be provided by the school.

Are we losing it too?? by Rachana on 07 Apr 2009

A wise man is one who can keep his cool, when all around him are losing theirs! Indians are generally cool, but seems the winds of unrest have started blowing in on us. Such acts of 'uncontrolled behaviour' should be seen in a very negative light.

Prejudice against South Indians by Hary Nambiar on 07 Apr 2009

It is a cheap self promotional act by an stupid fool seeking limelight. It is an offense against the entire South Indian community. I am sure he would not have the courage to throw his shoes at the Congress President or Bal Thakaray, or a Muslim leader. During the hostilities between the defense forces and the Sikh militants at the Golden temple in 1984, the Sikh militants held up a Subedar of the Indian Army named Raman, a patriotic Tamil speaking soldier, wrapped explosives on his person and blew him up. During my stay in one of the Army barracks, I heard a “Panjabi Hindu,” named Nand Lal say “Punjab for Fighting, Bangal for Fighting, and Madras for Cooking! There is a natural prejudice against South Indians, regardless of the fact that they design and make atom bombs, rockets and space ships and defend the country.

Poor Journalist became Rich with one shoe.... by Neetu Banga on 07 Apr 2009

Jarnail Singh manner of protesting is wrong but he raised right cause. I think there must be action on him otherwise it will become common incident and gross negligence of model code of conduct of Journalism. Next time journalists will not allow entering with shoes during any conference etc. Its best for congress to drop candidature of Tytler and Kumar. How can rich and powerful are going scott free they must be punished for their act. It is now fact in India that where ever powerful politicians are involved in any criminal cases CBI are giving them clean chit. Our President must review the way of working of CBI.

Don't Go Back to 1984. by Mike Vig on 07 Apr 2009

This is such a shamefully low life act. Those comparing it with Bhagat Singh are not only degrading him but also the country they live in. This would be acceptable in Iraq or Pakistan. Those going along with this low life act are showing what they are made of. The way Akalis are behaving goes with the condition of their statecorrupt, haphazard, backward, debauched, downtrodden and lawless.

shoe gate by harun on 07 Apr 2009

did see what jarnail had done on tv.i will be hypocrite and a double standard cheat if say that i was surprised given the massacare of over 3000 innocent sikhs after mrs gandhi assasination and the accused tytler bieng given a clean chit.it was not appropriate for a journalist of a brave community for having done that,the reactions off some off my fellow bloggers of support and urging similiar action against others is a reflection of obvious double standards.it is ridiculous to hear the maverick,murder accused sidhu crticising the congress for giving tickets and positions for those accused in antisikh riots.what about his own party,what have they been doing in gujrat and orissa he has got the adorcity to talk of injustice.the act of a helpless desperate man having lived throgh the trauma of 1984 precipitated this action.thankfully he was not charged for whatever reasons.please advice those who are using democracy to escape the law and those who support such souls.

Its the time to Change.... by Simardeep Singh on 07 Apr 2009

Let we all Indian And whole world and humanity to think its not only the "Sikhs", every community.... needs to come together to fight against the unjustice ... Its shameful as Indian that since 1984 and in many other case like Gujarat,Assam the killers of Humanity.. are in open society and they are our leaders....???As Sikhs always fight against unjustice not for themselves but always for others from 15th century and All we how forgoton this... fight against mugals the mugals want to change our religion from Hindu to Muslims... so to save Hindu religion in India the Sikhs given their life's away.... ,,,,So what i want to say... this the same act as Bhagat Singh did in assembly to warn the British and to people to get up... this same to aware us and warn the Govt. of india..... This is the time to Change and Respect all religions. This political terror..(These politions are terrorists.......)The power is in your HANDS THE KILLER OF MORE THAN 3000 People's is OUR LEADER..?

Better learn soon by Senthil on 07 Apr 2009

You know over a period of time these frustrations are going to come out against the politicians. They have been taking the people for granted for a long time now. The sooner they understand that people are learning, the better for the country and them. Else frustrated people like this journalist will arise and I will not blame them.. They need justice and since PC is the HM of the country now he has to answer that.

Shoe throw.. by rajeev bajpai on 07 Apr 2009

look at the video again. the shoe was not meant to hit Mr Chidambaram. It was thrown clearly to avoid any person , just to show the disgust. Ofcourse the act is wrong .

Chidambaram derserves the shoe by Jay on 07 Apr 2009

Chidambaram derserves it. And the Congress deserves it. As the home Minister appointed by fellow economist/bean-counter/accountant Manmohan Singh, Chidambaram is the worst choice for the Home Ministers position. All he has achieved/will achieve, is filling all the important positions with fellow-Tamilians in a case of ethnic bias in hiring eg: P Kumar. Being a Tamilian, he has no idea of the nations internal and exteranl terrorist problems. His handling the situation post Mumbai attacks was typical - do nothing about anything. He and the Congress party need to be removed from power.

clean chit specialists by Ganesh on 07 Apr 2009

Soon after the Bofors scandal was announced by a swedish TV,the congress claimed that it was a prank played by the media.When events started unfolding,they set up a JPC. In no time the JPC gave a clean chit to all those accused.Giving clean chit is a art perfected by the congress party.If not Tyter, tell us who is guilty?Was it a natural calamity?If as PC says ,it is the court that has to decide on the clean chit,what was the need to make the CBI report public.Is is not to impress the electorate before the election?They do not have the common sense to think that these verdicts will only backfire. If there is any case against Jarnail Singh pls give him a clean chit too.

injustice by iftiindian on 07 Apr 2009

Jarnail singh's action can not be commendable but this is what happen when one does not get justice.it has become order of the day in india that when communal riots take place even police act against minority community in murdering and looting their property or example, we have seen in anti sikh riot in 1984, bhagal pur anti muslim riot mumbai riot after babri masjid demolition,and mother of all riots in 2002 in gujraat where the genocide was presided over by advani as a home minister and modi as a chief minister.we find one thing is common in each and every riots that take place, a commission follow the riot and the matter is settled there.we all know that justice is delayed justice is denied and this is what the basic principle of our administration and judiciary.thousands of sikh and muslim were butchered and still being targeted and now chustian is included and being targeted as well but the law against communal riots is not even under govt. consideration.

Where our indian culture went now? by Kamala Kannan on 07 Apr 2009

It's a worst day for India. Whatever it may be, where the basic discipline went. We Should shame ourself about the incident. Thank god, Mr.Chidambaram controlled the situation in a nice way.Kamala KannanBangalore

pc chidambaram by nnm on 07 Apr 2009

he to kuchh bhi nahin hai. Congress ne jo desh ki durdasha ki hai, us ke lie to 100 crore jute bhi kam padenge. they desrve worst treatment.

There Should be shoes on Advani and Nirender Modi by Azad Kashmirir on 07 Apr 2009

There Should be shoes on Advani and Nirender Modi as well for there muslim attrocities

let's fight the case jointly by A SINGH on 07 Apr 2009

I SUGGEST WE MAKE A POOL IN WHICH WE CAN PUT THE MONEY TO HIGHER BEST OF LAWYERS TO FIGHT HIS CASE. FROM MY SIDE I PLEDGE RS 5000.00. CAN I HEAR FROM ANY BODY WHO LOVES THE SIKH COMMUNITY.

Journalist ; IRAQ by hpj on 07 Apr 2009

What a democracy of India? It is an Idea of the journalist who threw shoe.Remember, he knew what he wanted to do and did it.In Iraq the journalist was sentenced for 3 years. And in India the journalist who threw the shoe on minister was detained for some time and is now freed.Once again,what a democaracy/

Copycats by shiv on 07 Apr 2009

If an Iraqi can become so famous by throwing a shoe at Bush then how we Indians can lag behind? We try to do all that is done in the USA or to the USA by others. American went to the moon, India want to do it now. America had 9/11 and we have had 26/11 (I mean the way we want to show it).

SHOES SOAKES IN COW DUNG by A SINGH on 07 Apr 2009

HE IS ALREADY A HERO OF SIKHS. WE SALUTE YOU JARNAIL. HOPE SOME PEOPLE CAN THROW SHOES ON SONIA

Shoe hurled at PC by GK on 07 Apr 2009

The act of journalist can not be justified. However it points out to the disconnect between politicians and citizens. Leave aside the technical and legal aspects...Fact of the matter is that massacre of thousands of innocent sikhs was committed with political patranoge.What is the compulsion to give tickets to these tainted politicians...Society will be much better if they remain out of parliament..

above by janney on 07 Apr 2009

Every citizen of India have the same feelings about the bad governance, but could not express it in open due political conflict and obey law of land. This could be lesson for foreign mercenaries ruling INDIA.

shoes on chidambaram by Sureshdarwin on 07 Apr 2009

Hat off Jarnail Singh, You reminded The great Bhagat Singh. I will give your name -Jarnail Singh- to my new Born Boy. From Chennai

Just the begining by RS on 07 Apr 2009

The sikhs are and will always be regarded as the most courageous Indians. What this journalist has done is what we all want to do but never had the guts to carry out that. It really doesnt matter whether it is a civilized way of protest or not. There will be a time when the politicians will really be embarrssed to face the public.This is just the begining.

Good work by shyam kishore on 07 Apr 2009

Congrats ..those who cheated the nation on Sikh riot deserve this .This is the refelctio of an average indian's frustruation . I hope congress wont start another riot on Sikhs on this

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