Journalists, family blame media for NGO director's death

Journalists and family of social activist Khurshid Anwar, who allegedly committed suicide after being charged with rape, Saturday blamed social media and certain news channels for carrying out a campaign against him.

Anwar, 55, executive director of NGO Institute for Social Democracy, allegedly committed suicide Dec 18 by jumping off his third-floor residence in Vasant Kunj after two news channels aired video clips in which a woman accused him of rape.

The 23-year-old woman, who hails from Manipur, was working with the NGO. She accused Anwar of sexually assaulting her on the night of Sep 12 after a party.

"The entire tape of the programme (in which the allegations were made) should be shown, as they also contain Anwar's version of events which were cut," Om Thanvi, editor of Jansatta newspaper said at an open forum at the Press Club of India here.

He accused social media and certain TV channels of carrying out a campaign against Anwar.

Senior journalist Annapurna Jha said Khurshid Anwar became a victim of "media trial".

Asking the media to introspect, she said the social media was a vastly unregulated space.

Anwar's brother Ali Javed said the side of the story that Anwar had to tell should also have been shown on television.

"The law should take its course," he said.