KalimNews, Kolkata, July 16, 2025 : The Indian Journalists Union (IJU) has strongly condemned the violent assault on journalist Sneha Barve, editor of the Samarth Bharat newspaper and SBP YouTube channel, and her cameraperson Ajaz Sheikh, in an incident that has sparked outrage across media circles and civil society. The attack took place on July 4 near Pune but came to public attention only after a disturbing video of the assault went viral earlier this week.
Barve was viciously beaten while covering an illegal construction activity on a riverbed in Nigothwadi village near Manchar town, on the outskirts of Pune. As she attempted to document the unlawful encroachment on her mobile phone, she was attacked with wooden rods, sustaining severe injuries to her arms, back, and head. The video, which circulated widely on social media, clearly shows her being repeatedly struck, allegedly by Pandurang Sakharam Morde, a local businessman with purported political links. Despite the brutality of the incident and clear video evidence, Morde remains at large.
According to Barve’s father, Dattatray Barve, his daughter had gone to the riverbed area to report on the illegal occupation of a 0.9-acre plot of farmland. The land, currently under legal dispute, belongs to a farmer from Ambegaon who had requested her coverage. On the day of the attack, Sneha was accompanied by the farmer when she began recording the preparation of the land for sugarcane cultivation — an act reportedly carried out by the encroachers. The attackers, realizing she was recording, demanded she stop and warned her against posting anything on media platforms. When she refused, they launched a brutal assault.
Though five individuals were initially arrested the night the First Information Report (FIR) was filed, all have since been released on bail. The prime accused, Morde, has not yet been apprehended, raising serious questions about the impartiality and urgency of the local police investigation.
The IJU, in a joint statement issued by its President and former Press Council of India member Geetartha Pathak, and Secretary General Sabina Inderjit — who also serves as Vice President of the International Federation of Journalists — praised Sneha for her courage and integrity. The leaders highlighted her history of fearless journalism over the past eight years, during which she has faced multiple threats but remained undeterred in her pursuit of the truth.
They emphasized that this case is not just about an attack on an individual journalist but represents a larger threat to press freedom and democratic accountability. They urged Maharashtra’s law enforcement to act swiftly and decisively to apprehend the main accused and ensure justice is served. Furthermore, they called upon the Maharashtra government to guarantee a safe and secure environment for journalists, reaffirming that the media serves a critical function in upholding transparency, public awareness, and good governance.
The IJU’s statement serves as a stark reminder of the growing threats journalists face, especially when exposing corruption or illegal activities with possible political protection. The Union reaffirmed its commitment to stand by Sneha and all journalists who continue to work under threat, reinforcing that such acts of violence must not go unpunished.
As the nation watches closely, the pressure now mounts on the authorities to uphold justice and reinforce that intimidation and violence against the press will not be tolerated in a democratic society.
