Indian-American Congressman Ro Khanna has publicly expressed his strong support for Rohit Sharma, a journalist with India Today, who reported a troubling incident involving members of Rahul Gandhi’s team. The incident, which occurred in Dallas, Texas, involved Sharma being physically assaulted and having his phone forcibly seized by Gandhi’s entourage.
The altercation took place on the sidelines of Rahul Gandhi’s recent visit to the United States, which Sharma was covering for India Today. As Gandhi’s team prepared for his arrival at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), Sharma arranged an interview with Sam Pitroda, the chairperson of the Indian Overseas Congress (IOC). During the interview, Sharma posed several questions, including one about whether Gandhi would address the issue of attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh during his discussions with U.S. lawmakers.
The question seemingly led to a heated response from Gandhi’s team. A member of the advance team interrupted Sharma, shouting “Band karo! Band karo!” — which translates to “Stop it! Stop the interview!” — before forcibly confiscating Sharma’s phone. According to Sharma, this act led to a physical confrontation, during which his phone was not only taken but also the recordings deleted by Gandhi’s staff.
Congressman Ro Khanna, in his social media statement, condemned the actions of Gandhi’s team, highlighting them as a severe violation of press freedom. He reiterated his support for Sharma and the First Amendment, emphasizing the unethical nature of the incident. Khanna’s statement included a call for respect for journalistic integrity and the right of journalists to report without fear of intimidation or violence. “He is a fair journalist. It’s unethical and a betrayal of free speech for handlers to have snatched his phone, shoved him, and deleted his recordings,” Khanna wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
Khanna’s remarks have brought national attention to the incident, underscoring the broader issue of press freedom and the challenges journalists face when covering politically sensitive events. The Congressman’s support is particularly significant given his position as a representative from California's 17th congressional district, a region with a substantial Indian-American population.
In response to the incident, Sam Pitroda reached out to Sharma, offering an apology and promising to conduct a thorough investigation into the actions of Gandhi’s team. This response from Pitroda aims to address the concerns raised by Sharma and to ensure accountability for the events that transpired.
The incident has sparked a wider discussion about the treatment of journalists and the importance of safeguarding their ability to report freely and without interference. It serves as a reminder of the vital role that press freedom plays in democratic societies and the need for vigilance in protecting the rights of those who hold public figures accountable.
