Calcutta High Court declines urgent relief to Ananda Bazar Patrika journalists facing FIRs over the phrase ‘saffron hooliganism’ in a report.
The Calcutta High Court has declined to grant an urgent hearing to journalists of Ananda Bazar Patrika facing criminal cases over the use of the phrase “Gerua Gundagiri” in a report on violence at Jadavpur University.
The Calcutta High Court on Wednesday declined to grant urgent relief to journalists of Ananda Bazar Patrika who are facing multiple First Information Reports (FIRs) over the newspaper’s use of the phrase “Gerua Gundagiri”, translated as “saffron hooliganism”, in a report concerning violence at Jadavpur University.
The matter was mentioned before Justice Saugata Bhattacharya, with Senior Advocate SN Mookherjee appearing for the journalists and seeking urgent intervention from the Court.
According to the submissions, the journalists have been named in multiple criminal cases following the publication of the expression in the newspaper. The phrase was used while reporting on violence at Jadavpur University allegedly involving students associated with the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and FETSU.
Journalists Seek Court’s Urgent Intervention
Senior Advocate SN Mookherjee urged the Court to intervene on an urgent basis, highlighting that the journalists were facing criminal proceedings arising out of the publication.
The plea before the Court came against the backdrop of multiple FIRs concerning the newspaper report. The journalists sought immediate judicial consideration of their grievance and protection in connection with the criminal cases.
However, Justice Saugata Bhattacharya declined to grant an urgent hearing at this stage.
The development places the focus on the legal consequences that can follow from the language used in journalistic reporting, particularly when reports concern politically sensitive incidents involving student organisations.
Dispute Over ‘Gerua Gundagiri’ Expression
The controversy centres on the expression “Gerua Gundagiri”, which was used in Ananda Bazar Patrika while reporting on violence at Jadavpur University.
The expression, which literally refers to “saffron hooliganism”, has become the subject of criminal complaints and FIRs against journalists associated with the publication.
The proceedings raise questions about the boundaries of journalistic expression and the extent to which language used in news reports can become the basis for criminal proceedings. At the same time, the allegations contained in the FIRs remain matters to be considered through the appropriate legal process.
The case also highlights the challenges faced by journalists when reporting on contentious incidents involving political or student groups. Newspapers frequently use descriptive language while reporting events, but where such language becomes the subject of criminal complaints, the issue can move beyond editorial criticism and into the realm of criminal law.
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Calcutta High Court Proceedings
For the journalists, the immediate concern remains the criminal cases registered following publication of the disputed expression. Senior Advocate Mookherjee’s appearance before the High Court sought an urgent judicial response to the situation.
The Court’s decision not to grant an urgent hearing does not, by itself, determine the merits of the allegations or the journalists’ legal claims. The underlying issues can be considered in accordance with the applicable legal proceedings.
The matter is significant from a broader journalistic perspective because it concerns the intersection of freedom of expression, press reporting and criminal law. The case may also draw attention to how courts approach complaints arising from terminology used in news reports, particularly when the reporting relates to politically charged incidents.
As the proceedings develop, the legal questions surrounding the FIRs and the journalists’ challenge will require consideration on their merits. Until then, the controversy remains an important reminder of the legal scrutiny that can accompany reporting on sensitive public events.
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