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Police arrests journos, lets ‘gundas’ off the hook
MUMBAI: At a time when rival television channels will stop at nothing to pip each other at the ratings’ post, here comes a heart-warming instance of foes coming together for a just cause.
On 2 December, around 11.45pm, high drama unfolded outside the Maduravoyal police station in Chennai when over 200 media persons – including journalists and technicians from Captain TV (Tamil news channel) and its competitor channels, Sun TV and Pudhiya Thalamuria – gathered outside Maduravoyal police station to protest the attack on crew members of Captain TV by a group of people the same evening.
The ‘Raasta Roko’ took a turn for the worse when instead of registering a complaint against the attackers, the police officials ended up arresting the protesters, who were released yesterday morning.
Captain TV distribution manager Arun Kumar recalled the incident saying: “It all started when my crew was going to cover an event in the Anna Nagar West area and stopped at the nearby petrol pump to fill diesel around 7 in the morning. Thomson, a van driver, who came in later, picked up an argument with Suresh, driver of the bus transporting my crew, claiming that the latter had jumped queue and subsequently thrashed him.”
“Later in the evening, Thomson saw my crew members and he came in with a bunch of 20-30 people and beat them very hard.” There were eight crew members including two drivers, two cameramen, two camera-stunts and two reporters including a lady reporter named N Lavanya; according to Kumar.
Minutes after the thrashing, the crew members, along with some Captain TV employees, went to the Maduravoyal police station to file a case against these local gundas. However, the police station had a different agenda. “Police inspector Anand Babu refused to take the complaint. The reason being, the van driver who had beaten up the crew is the relative of a local politician from the ruling party. The entire police team is in their favour and not us. It’s simple: these local gundas bribe them and in return, the policemen protect them,” rues Kumar.
As word spread about the police officials’ apathy, an infuriated media, including journalists from Captain TV’s rival channels, Sun TV and Pudhiya Thalamuria, as well as print journalists and members of the press club joined the protest. Other media houses such as Kalaignar TV, Public Television, Telegraph, Television Polymer, Times Now Television, New York Times, CNN, The Hindu, The Times of India and journalists from various magazines joined the protest.
Notwithstanding all this fighting and protesting, the police officials arrested the entire group of protesters. “They arrested us – all 200 plus media people instead of arresting those local gundas. But today, the protest is going on in every district of Tamil Nadu,” says Kumar.
The arrested persons were taken and kept throughout the night in K.V.T Mahal in Koyambedu and community hall in Aminjikarai in Chennai.
At the time of writing this article, the policemen had still not filed any case against the attackers.
“They are not filing the case against the attackers, rather they are filing cases against my people. But, we have told them to charge for attempt to murder and until then, we won’t sign any FIR. We are firm on this,” says a determined Kumar.
Today, the news channel will be going to the commissioner to discuss the matter.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
