Independent Commission Formed to Inquire Attacks on Press
Bahadurjeet Singh/ royalpatiala.in News/ Chandigarh,August 23,2025 Addressing the inaugural ceremony of the Independent Journalists’ Commission of Inquiry (IJCI) at the Chandigarh Press Club today, Justice (Retd) Ranjit Singh Randhawa asserted, “Had journalists not endured suppression from diverse sources, the establishment of this Commission would have been unnecessary.”
He emphasised that journalism constitutes a delicate vocation fraught with myriad hazards and coercions, and media professionals have long suffered inequities.
Justice Randhawa will preside over the Commission alongside two distinguished colleagues: Dr. H.S. Walia, erstwhile head of the mass communication department at Punjabi University, Patiala, and advocate T.P.S. Tung from the Punjab and Haryana High Court.
Justice Randhawa affirmed that the Commission would collaborate with the Active Journalist Union of Punjab (AJUP) to undertake unbiased probes into instances of injustice against journalists or those engaging in sensationalist practices that besmirch the profession’s integrity.
All three commissioners will serve gratuitously. The body will scrutinise cases forwarded by the AJUP, and the ensuing report will be disseminated publicly upon conclusion.
In his remarks, advocate Tung declared, “I shall discharge the duties bestowed upon me as a commissioner with unwavering commitment. Our perpetual endeavour will be to meticulously examine and furnish an equitable assessment for each submitted case.”
The third member, Dr. Walia, observed that journalism remains a perilous endeavour, much as it was four decades prior, lamenting the absence of robust journalistic unions.
He underscored the imperative for such a commission to emerge and dispense justice to those who pursue journalism notwithstanding perils to their safety and assets.
Jaspal Singh Sidhu, a veteran journalist from Chandigarh, recounted his firsthand ordeals of intimidation by police and civil authorities during Operation Blue Star.
He disclosed that governmental functionaries occasionally compelled them to disseminate fabricated narratives. Thus, journalists have endured persistent duress.
Saurabh Duggal, President of the Chandigarh Press Club, hailed the Commission’s inception and pledged comprehensive collaboration from himself and his team. He reiterated their steadfast dedication to safeguarding journalists’ prerogatives.
During the event, the chairman and members unveiled the IJCI emblem.
AJUP President Rajinder Singh Taggar, Vice President Baljit Singh Marwaha, General Secretary Kirandeep Kaur Aulakh, Treasurer Rajiv Sachdeva, Satnam Singh Daun, President of Punjab Against Corruption, and journalist Amandeep Singh Thakur were among the attendees.
