Danish Siddiqui
Family members of slain Reuters photojournalist Danish Siddiqui denies his involvement in anti-CAA book
New Delhi: Family members of photojournalist Danish Siddiqui, who died while covering an assignment in conflict-hit Afghanistan last year, have issued a statement alleging that the authors of a book called ‘Hum Dekhenge’, which the publisher claims to be a photo document on anti-CAA protest, had not sought any authorisation from the family to associate his name with their project, in contrary to their purported claim in media interviews.
"During media interviews, the book's authors have also claimed that Danish was involved with the book and would give suggestions on making it better," the statement said.
"On behalf of Danish's family we would like to categorically state that no authorization was given to anyone to associate Danish's name with this project," the statement quoting his father Prof. Akhtar Siddiqui said.
"We would like to categorically state that Danish Siddiqui maintained the highest standards of press freedom and integrity during his life and career as a journalist," read the statement.
The statement said the journalist covered the Shahhen Bagh protests with 'objectivity and neutrality' like any other professional assignment.
"Showing him falsely in this way raises wrong questions on his professional ethics and credibility and seriously hurt his professional standing, besides causing deep hurt to his already bereaved family," the statement said.
The family members said they hope the authors take note of their view and withdraw the statement given to the media.
‘Hum Dekhenge’ is a book curated by Aasif Mujtaba and Mohd Meharban.
The book is published by White Dot Publishers.
Describing the book's content, the publisher wrote on its website: " The book comprise of the 223 photos, captured and documented by the hard work of 28 photographers and artists from across the country."
"It starts with recounting the anecdotes of the blood baths that took place in the minority educational institutions, Aligarh Muslim University and Jamia Millia Islamia and will take you to the horrendous pogrom that was carried out in North East Delhi," the publisher of the book said.
"The book revolves around 3 P’s: Protest, Propaganda and Pogrom; A 'Protest' or resistance of the Muslim community against the contentious Citizenship Amendment Act, nefarious 'Propaganda' by the ruling political party and the 'Pogrom' which was carried out with the connivance and impunity of the State," read the description.
Meanwhile, Aasif Mujtaba told Indian Express: "We have not used Danish Siddiqui’s work in the book. Out of the 223 images, only one was his which we bought from Reuters. Anyway his work belongs to his organisation, it is not the copyright of his family. Danish Siddiqui was Meherban’s mentor, they have worked together in Reuters and everyone knows that. He wanted to dedicate this book to him and that’s perfectly within our rights to dedicate the book to whoever we want."
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“Moreover, a name cannot belong to anyone. If I want to dedicate a book to Gandhi ji tomorrow, whom will I ask? Rajmohan Gandhi or Tushar Gandhi or whom? But despite all this, we had written to him saying we will not mention his name in media interviews because we didn’t want a controversy. And we have not. As far as the commercial aspect is concerned, we have spent money from our own pockets. There is no commercial interest being drawn from using Danish Siddiqui’s name,” he added.
Who is Danish Siddiqui?
He received the 2018 Pulitzer Prize for Feature Photography, as part of the Reuters team, for documenting the Rohingya refugee crisis.
In 2021, he was killed while covering a clash between Afghan security forces and Taliban forces near a border crossing with Pakistan.
(Image of the book cover: White Dot Pubisher Twitter page)
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