Attack on Press Freedom: Friends Mourn Shujaat Bukhari’s Death

Rising Kashmir editor Shujaat Bukhari was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in Srinagar on 14 June.

Veteran journalist and Rising Kashmir editor Shujaat Bukhari and his PSO were shot dead by unidentified gunmen outside the newspaper's office in the heart of Jammu and Kashmir’s Srinagar on Thursday, 14 June.

Bukhari, who was in his 50s, was leaving his office in Press Enclave in the city’s Lal Chowk for an iftar party when he was shot, officials said.

Politicians, friends and colleagues took to social media to condole the tragic death of Bukhari, who was instrumental in organising several conferences for peace in the Kashmir Valley.

Politicians Deplore the Tragedy

The Scourge of Terror Has Reared its Ugly Head on the Eve of Eid: Mehbooba Mufti

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti said in a message that she was shocked and saddened by Bukhari's "sudden demise".

"The scourge of terror has reared its ugly head on the eve of Eid. I strongly condemn this act of mindless violence & pray for his soul to rest in peace. My deepest condolences to his family," the chief minister said on Twitter.

Terrorism has hit a new low with Shujaat’s killing. That too, on the eve of Eid. We must unite against forces seeking to undermine our attempts to restore peace. Justice will be done. https://t.co/8oCNXan13L

— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) June 14, 2018

Terrorism, she said, has hit a new low with Bukhari's killing, "that too on the eve of Eid". "We must unite against forces seeking to undermine our attempts to restore peace. Justice will be done," Mehbooba said.

‘An Act of Cowardice’: Rajnath Singh

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh condemned the attack on Bukhari and said, “It is an attempt to silence the saner voices of Kashmir.”

The killing of @RisingKashmir editor, Shujaat Bukhari is an act of cowardice. It is an attempt to silence the saner voices of Kashmir. He was a courageous and fearless journalist. Extremely shocked & pained at his death. My thoughts and prayers are with his bereaved family.

— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) June 14, 2018

‘Brutal Attack on Freedom of Press’: Rajyavardhan Rathore

Newly-appointed Information and Broadcasting (I&B) Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore called the “assassination” of Bukhari “a brutal attack on freedom of press.”

Assassination of #ShujaatBukhari is a brutal attack on freedom of press. A cowardly and deplorable act of terror. Our fearless media is one of the greatest strength of our democracy and we are committed to provide a safe and conducive working environment to media persons.

— Rajyavardhan Rathore (@Ra_THORe) June 14, 2018

Shocked Beyond Words: Omar Abdullah

Former Jammu and Kashmir CM Omar Abdullah tweeted, saying he is “shocked beyond words” at Bukhari’s death.

inna lilahi wa inna illahi rajiuun. Shocked beyond words. May Shujaat find place in Jannat & May his loved ones find strength at this difficult time.

— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) June 14, 2018

“Fought Fearlessly for Justice and Peace in J&K”: Rahul Gandhi

Congress President Rahul Gandhi tweeted, saying that he was “anguished to hear about the killing of Shujaat Bukhari.”

I’m anguished to hear about the killing of Shujaat Bukhari, editor of @RisingKashmir. He was a brave heart who fought fearlessly for justice and peace in Jammu & Kashmir. My condolences to his family. He will be missed.

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) June 14, 2018

A Grave Attack on Press Freedom and Democratic Voices: Editors Guild of India

The Editors Guild of India, an association of journalists, condemned the assassination on Twitter.

The Editors Guild of India unequivocally condemns the assassination of Rising Kashmir Editor Shujaat Bukhari. This is a grave attack on press freedom and democratic voices. We will be issuing a more detailed statement soon

— Editors Guild of India (@IndEditorsGuild) June 14, 2018

Friends, Colleagues Bewail

Shujaat, my friend for the last 14 years...this wasn't your time to go.

This conflict will swallow us all...we are all canon fodder. https://t.co/ehol0WDtzS

— Raheel Khursheed (@Raheelk) June 14, 2018

Life is too fragile, too short, too unpredictable. This just two weeks ago at Rising Kashmir office in Srinagar. We have all lost a battle today. Devastated. https://t.co/8j5yFtYQKI

— Suhasini Haidar (@suhasinih) June 14, 2018

There is no getting around it : @bukharishujaat has been assassinated for being an advocate for peace and reconciliation; for his refusal to give up hope; for his constant search for Kashmir',s elusive middle ground. A deep professional and personal loss for me #ShujaatBukhari

— barkha dutt (@BDUTT) June 14, 2018

Heartbreaking the loss of Shujaat Bukhari, an incredibly brave editor & an invaluable voice of middle-ground moderation. This is a loss for all Kashmiri’s, India and the entire journalistic community

— Shekhar Gupta (@ShekharGupta) June 14, 2018

Shujaat Bukhari and I were colleagues at The Hindu. He was a formidable reporter, and, as editor of Rising Kashmir, a powerful voice for the embattled media fraternity, a true voice of sanity and reason. No words of condemnation are enough for the scum who have assassinated him.

— Siddharth (@svaradarajan) June 14, 2018

“Deeply Dismayed”: Amnesty India

Human Rights organisation Amnesty hailed Bukhari as “a brave and outspoken voice for justice and equality in Jammu and Kashmir.”

We're deeply dismayed to hear about the killing of Shujaat Bukhari, editor of @RisingKashmir. He was a brave and outspoken voice for justice and equality in Jammu and Kashmir.

— Amnesty India (@AIIndia) June 14, 2018