US media watchdog seeks probe into threats to Malayam TV anchor Sindhu Sooryakumar

Written By DNA Web Team | Updated: Mar 03, 2016, 01:05 PM IST

Sindhu Sooryakumar

Sooryakumar received thousands of threatening phone calls from pro-Hindutva groups who accused her of calling Durga a “sex worker” on her show.

A US media watchdog has called for an investigation into reports of a Malayalam television news anchor receiving thousands of threatening telephone calls.

"Indian authorities should take all measures necessary to protect Sindhu Sooryakumar in the face of the abhorrent threats against her," said Sumit Galhotra, Senior Research Associate of Committee to Protect Journalist Asia Programme.

"Journalists should feel free to raise questions and foster debate, including during times of controversy, without fear of reprisal," he said yesterday.

News anchor Sooryakumar received thousands of threatening phone calls following a broadcast she hosted last week, in which she discussed a union minister's comments regarding protesting JNU students.