In a shocking incident in Uttar Pradesh, Meerut Police manhandled and brutally assaulted a Republic TV reporter and camera operator on live television in January 2026. The press team was actively covering the mysterious death of a Dalit woman when officers physically attacked them.

This on-camera assault is widely viewed as a desperate, brazen attempt to delete crucial evidence and shield powerful interests from media scrutiny. Bharataawaz reports on this blatant attack on press freedom, which highlights the severe risks faced by journalists striving to uncover the truth in hostile environments.