Srinagar journalist gets death threats for COVID-19 funding report

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 24 May 2021

Raqib Hameed Naik, a journalist in Srinagar, reports receiving death threats after publishing on COVID-19 relief funding. The threats came from a Hindu nationalist after Naik's exposé.

Summary

SRINAGAR—Raqib Hameed Naik, a Srinagar-based journalist from Indian Occupied Kashmir, has disclosed receiving death threats following his COVID-19 funding report published by Al Jazeera.

According to Naik, a Hindu nationalist, Rajesh Jhaveri had approached him on Facebook and gave death threats. Reportedly, Jhaveri has warned the journalist to stop writing on Hindu right-wing or face grave consequences. Naik has reported the matter to the authorities.

In his news report, he highlighted that about five organizations with ties to Hindu religious groups had received COVID-19 relief funding amounting to $833,000. These funds were released by the US Small Business Administration (SBA). This federal agency helps small business owners and entrepreneurs.

KEY POINTS:

• Raqib Hameed Naik received death threats via Facebook.
• Threats were issued by Rajesh Jhaveri, a Hindu nationalist.
• Naik reported on $833,000 COVID-19 relief funding to Hindu organizations.
• Funds were released by the US Small Business Administration.
• Naik has involved authorities to address the threats.