The house of 33-year-old independent Muslim woman journalist Khushboo Akhtar was set on fire in what she believes could be a targeted attack on her journalism work. The incident occurred on August 30, in the national capital, and Akhtar suspects foul play.
Khushboo Akhtar, known for her popular YouTube channel ‘Pal Pal News,’ which focuses on issues concerning Muslims, Dalits, tribals, children, women’s rights, and farmers, filed a complaint with the Sultanpuri police station after discovering the devastation caused by the fire. The case has been registered under Section 436 of the Indian Penal Code, which pertains to “mischief by fire or explosive substance with intent to destroy a house,” The Wire reported.
The journalist, who had relocated with her family to another residence in the city a year ago, frequently visited their old house to meet neighbors and check on belongings they had left behind. It was during one such visit that she was alerted to the fire by concerned neighbors who noticed smoke emanating from the third floor.
कल सुबह दिल्ली के सुल्तान पुरी में
अज्ञात लोगों द्वारा आग लगा दी गई अलमारी से निकाल कर क़ुरान बाहर जलाया गया रात तक थाने में बैठाने के बाद आज 436 IPC के तहत FIR दर्ज कर ली गई है। फ़्लोर को भी आज सील कर दिया गया है। pic.twitter.com/zVrVJVCFQs— Khushboo Akhtar/खुश्बू अख्तर/خوشبو اختر (@KhushbooAkhtar7) August 31, 2023
Upon arriving at the scene, Akhtar found that her house had been badly damaged, with two beds, two cupboards, a dressing table, a washing machine, and numerous books turned to ashes. Particularly distressing for Akhtar was the deliberate destruction of religious texts, including a copy of the Quran.
In her police complaint, Akhtar raised concerns about the possible motives behind the incident, citing the threats she regularly receives for addressing sensitive topics and social issues. She noted that while she had encountered threats on social media platforms such as Facebook and WhatsApp, setting someone’s house on fire was an extreme and dangerous escalation.
Akhtar’s YouTube channel, ‘Pal Pal News,’ boasts 2.17 million subscribers and is known for its focus on highlighting the concerns of marginalized communities in India.
While no suspects or accused individuals have been named in the case so far, Akhtar and her supporters are demanding a thorough investigation to determine the culprits behind the deliberate destruction of her property. This incident has raised concerns about the safety and security of independent journalists in India and the need for greater protection for those who raise their voices on important social issues.
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