Gurugram journalists protest FIR against Tribune

Gurugram: Journalists here on Wednesday organised a silent protest against an FIR registered against journalist Rachna Khaira and The Tribune for exposing the flaws in the Aadhaar system.

The journalists gathered at the main gate of the Mini Secretariat located near Rajiv Chowk on Delhi-Gurugram Expressway and marched to Gurugram Deputy Commisioner Vinay Pratap Singh's office where they submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"The breach (of Aadhaar data) was a threat to national security and violation of rights of citizens. The government must appreciate the efforts of the journalist and reward her instead of punishing her," the memorandum said.

The journalists warned that if their demands were not met, they would stage further protests.

Journalists also demanded suspension and departmental action against the UIDAI officials who, instead of owning responsibility for their lapse, got the FIR registered against the Tribune and its reporter.

After a January 3 report by The Tribune over breach in Aadhaar data, the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) registered an FIR against the newspaper and reporter Khaira.

The FIR invokes serious charges under the Indian Penal Code, IT Act and Aadhaar Act.

The UIDAI move has attracted widespread criticism from press bodies, the Editors Guild and journalists across the country.