Kolkata, 16 July (H.S.) A shocking murder attempt on a senior journalist took place in the Park Circus area on Tuesday night. Kishalay Mukherjee, a prominent journalist and prime-time anchor for a leading Bengali private news channel, was the target of this brutal attack.
Apart from his television work, Mukherjee is also known for promoting the Gaudiya Vaishnav tradition on social media, where he reportedly faced repeated abusive and derogatory comments.
Kishalay usually uses the Maa Flyover for commuting. However, on Tuesday night, while returning home, he chose to take the road below the flyover. Near the Park Circus railway gate, a young man approached him, claiming that his brother was in a critical condition and requested help. When Kishalay went closer, four other men surrounded him.
The attackers hurled verbal abuse and made derogatory religious remarks before launching a vicious physical assault. They stabbed him multiple times in the neck, chest, and abdomen with sharp weapons. They also struck him on the head with a heavy substance and tried to snatch the sacred Vaishnav necklace he was wearing. The abused him for his hindu religious identity.
Just after the incident, Kishalay went live on social media and said, “I’ve been stabbed at Park Circus. If I die, I want people to know what happened to me.” The live video quickly went viral, drawing widespread outrage and concern.
He was soon rushed to a private hospital in the city, where he remains under treatment.
The BJP has raised questions on the decorating law and order situation in West Bengal. However, Kolkata Police have confirmed that an investigation is underway and assured that the culprits will be apprehended soon.
The incident has sparked major concern about the safety of journalists and freedom of expression in the state.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey
