Senior advocate of the Supreme Court and leftist-Congress supporter Sanjay Hegde posted a comment on his X handle which seems to justify the assault on a television journalist by stating that when the media becomes “a weapon of war,” it must face “wartime measures.”
His remarks came after Times Now reporter Dev Kotak was allegedly assaulted by a mob while covering the ongoing Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protests at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi.
Dev Kotak, a reporter with Times Now, was attacked by protestors at Jantar Mantar. It’s absolutely unfair.
Having covered the @Cockroachisback protest for days now,this unruly behaviour towards some channels is uncalled for.
A reporter is not at fault.
This is unacceptable. pic.twitter.com/D3S6l9EByS— Hemani Bhandari (@HemaniBhandari) July 21, 2026
According to Kotak, he was surrounded by a crowd of over 100 people, punched, kicked, slapped, and pelted with water bottles while being branded “Godi media.” He alleged that the mob tore his clothes, snatched his spectacles, and stole his mobile phone and wristwatch before a group of student protesters intervened, formed a human chain, and escorted him to safety.
Quoting the video of Kotak’s statement, The Print founder Shekhar Gupta wrote, “Just what sone of us have been raising cautions over. Journalists at work must be safe. All journalists. You can choose to not watch or read who you don’t like.”
Just what sone of us have been raising cautions over.
Journalists at work must be safe. All journalists.
You can choose to not watch or read who you don’t like. https://t.co/nHtruasBHE— Shekhar Gupta (@ShekharGupta) July 21, 2026
Reacting to this, Hegde posted, “Journalistic privilege belongs to journalists, not to propagandists who come not to report but to demonise.”
He went on to draw a parallel with Kashmir, claiming that media “demonisation” had contributed to alienating the local population.
“This problem is an old one. I recollect being told how media demonisation in Kashmir had lead to further alienation of the populace.”
Hegde then made the remark that has triggered widespread criticism, “When the media lets itself be used as a weapon of war, then wartime measures sometimes follow. The media when used as a bully pulpit, will have to take the risk that all bullies take.”
The comments seemed to rationalise or excuse mob violence against journalists based on perceptions of editorial bias. Irrespective of one’s opinion of a media organisation, physical attacks on reporters covering events cannot be justified.
The assault on Kotak has drawn condemnation from several journalists and media professionals, who have maintained that reporters on the ground should not become targets of violence while performing their duties.
Subscribe to our channels on WhatsApp, Telegram, Instagram and YouTube to get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.
