New Delhi: Journalists and media organisations have pushed back strongly against the detention and assault of reporters covering the October 10 and 11 protests by Delhi Police personnel and security forces. Taking their protest to the Supreme Court as well as the streets, they have demanded accountability from state authorities and safeguards for journalists reporting on public gatherings.Several media persons covering the demonstrations against the chief election commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, in Delhi and elsewhere, reported being forcefully detained despite identifying themselves as members of the press or, in some cases, even flashing them their press cards.Supreme Court to hear NWMI’s petition on ThursdayThe Network of Women in Media, India (NWMI), filed a petition on Monday (October 12) seeking protection for journalists, particularly women, from arbitrary detention. Senior advocate Indira Jaising represented NWMI when its petition was mentioned in the Supreme Court on Tuesday (October 13).According to a report by Live Law, Chief Justice of India Surya Kant directed a senior Delhi Police officer to remain present during the hearing and explain the alleged assault of woman journalists in the national capital. The petition is scheduled to be heard on Thursday (October 15) this week.NWMI has alleged that women journalists were physically harassed and obstructed while trying to report on the October 10 and 11 agitations.“The aggressive behaviour of police personnel towards journalists…is reprehensible and an unprecedented attack on democratic practices. Clearly, the intention of police was to intimidate and prevent any record of their excesses, as well as of the mobs attacking protestors,” the organisation said in a statement. It also emphasised the law enforcement bodies’ disregard of the Supreme Court’s October 11 order saying journalists doing their duties cannot be detained or harassed.NWMI has sought better safeguards for journalists, including immediate and unconditional release of all those still detained and no seizure of equipment like camera or phones, along with an independent inquiry into the conduct of the personnel involved in the alleged incidents.Molitics journalist Amaan Rastogi files contempt pleaSeparately, Amaan Rastogi, a journalist with the digital news platform Molitics, has filed a contempt petition in the Supreme Court against police officials, arguing that their actions violated the court’s October 11 directives.The petition alleges that Rastogi was first detained on October 10 near Connaught Place while reporting on the protest, even though their Molitics press identity card was visibly displayed. A video of Rastogi’s detention, showing them displaying their press ID from the window of a bus, has been widely circulated on social media.They were detained again on October 11 while simply riding their motorcycle to the protest. The petition alleges that the police recognised them from the previous day and took away their phone for over three hours, before returning it damaged. Rastogi’s press ID was also reportedly thrown into a sewer.As per Live Law, the plea alleges “wilful disobedience” of the apex court’s order concerning the right of journalists and other professionals to carry out their work without hindrance. The Free Speech Collective (FSC) has similarly moved the Supreme Court, demanding contempt proceedings over alleged police action against journalists despite prohibitive orders.Editors guild issues statement condemning detentionsIn a statement released on Monday, the Editors Guild of India (EGI) sharply condemned the detention of 38 journalists while they reporting on the October 10 and 11 protests. The statement said 36 journalists were detained in Delhi, while two were detained in Pune and Ahmedabad respectively.The EGI statement also called out the excessive force used by the Delhi Police and other security personnel in carrying out the detentions, disobeying direct orders by the Supreme Court.“The Guild demands that authorities strictly abide by the Supreme Court’s order and allow journalists to do their job, and that they ensure such incidents are not repeated,” the statement said, “The police’s actions only tarnish India’s image. India often describes itself as the world’s largest democracy; a free press, able to work without hindrance or intimidation, is essential for that claim to ring true.”The statement demanded action against police personnel responsible for allegedly assaulting and obstructing journalists during the protests.CPJ reports at least 37 detentionsIn a report published on Monday, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) said at least 37 journalists had been temporarily detained in Delhi, Pune and Ahmedabad over the two days.It alleged that journalists were dragged, pushed into buses or otherwise obstructed from their work even after displaying press cards. The report mentioned that at least five journalists had been struck by police personnel and that the police had seized a minimum of five phones without seizure memos.CPJ called on authorities to honour the Supreme Court’s order that journalists would not be impeded in their professional duties and to stop harassing those attempting to cover the protests.Press club plans silent protest marchThe Press Club of India (PCI), criticising the treatment of journalists over the last few days, has announced that a silent march would be held after the protest.PCI president Sangeeta Barooah Pisharoty, in a meeting discussing attacks on journalists, said the proposed march aims to emphasise journalists’ right to report from public spaces and that “the streets must be accessibly to reporters.”PCI meeting on attacks on journalists on October 10 and 11, Photo: Jahnavi Sen.The developments come amid growing concerns over the blatant use of police force against unarmed, peaceful protesters in the national capital. Apart from indiscriminate detentions and ignorance of court orders, Delhi Police and security personnel violent cracked down on protesters attempting to reach Jantar Mantar to protest against Kumar.Meanwhile, no FIR has been filed against assistant commissioner of Delhi Police Vivek Bhagat, who had accused of sexually assaulting woman journalists during demonstrations in early October.