Journalists today staged a demonstration here to condemn the attack allegedly carried out by Shiv Sena workers at IBN Lokmat TV channel office.
Senior journalists Vijay Darda and Rajdeep Sardesai addressed the gathering of media men at Hutatma Chowk in south Mumbai. Home minister RR Patil also met the protesting journalists and assured strong action against those behind the attacks.
"The government should come up with an Ordinance, providing for harsh measures against those who attack media, before the winter session of state legislature next month," Sardesai told Patil.
Sena ally BJP has distanced itself from the attack, saying "using violence cannot be condoned to air your grievances."
"Violence is not the way to put forth your difference of opinion," leader of opposition Eknath Khadse of BJP said.
"We may be an ally of Sena but we won't support such violence," he said. Meanwhile, Shiv Sena said that media coverage onparty chief Bal Thackeray provoked Shiv Sainiks to launch the attack against the news channel.
Sena mouthpiece Saamana blamed media for instigating the attack. The editorial claims Sainiks were provoked by the allegedly disrespectful language used by IBN Lokmat against Thackeray.
"Over the last few days, IBN Lokmat has used condemnable language against Bal Thackeray. Shiv Sainiks were opposing this. We will not tolerate such language," it said.
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