‘Thank you for making me feel less alone’

Journalist Rana Ayyub says after receiving press freedom award – the highest honour conferred by the US National Press Club

NT Correspondent

Rana Ayyub needs no introduction. A Washington Post columnist, author and Indian journalist is always at the forefront of the fight against fascism in the country and is often the victim of abuse and trolling on social media by the BJP IT cell.

But when she received hate at home, she was honoured abroad with the National Press Club of America bestowing on her the John Aubuchon Press Freedom Award, making her the first Indian to receive the honour.

“Rana’s courage and skill in investigative work has been evident through her distinguished career and her criticism of the government has been met with an unwelcome assault on her rights and freedom of expression,” said Jen Judson, the President of the NPC, as she presented Rana with the award and assured her that the NPC stands with her through her plight.

Rana, whose travel restrictions had to be lifted in order for her to receive the award, mused whether it would be her last trip abroad or whether she would be arrested on arrival for making this speech and used the opportunity to tell the story of India to the foreign press present at the award function.

“I was in hiding when Jen called me to tell me that I was receiving the award because a journalist who was a co-accused with me was put in jail for something he had tweeted four years ago,” she said, referring to the arrest of Mohammed Zubair earlier this year.

“It is ironic that people who are genociders are feted across the world, whereas we who speak truth to power have to keep a low profile,” she added while dedicating her award to Shirin Abu Akhleh, the Al Jazeera journalist killed by Israeli forces.

She noted that when Mohammed Bin Salman was given immunity by the US Government on a recent visit, they cited Narendra Modi as an example for a past instance when this happened. “They are doing my job for me because this is what I’ve been saying back home, that he has blood on his hands and has yet to take over the Presidency of the G20 this year,” she said.

About Home Minister Amit Shah she said “In a recent speech he said that in 2002, Modi taught the anti-nationals a lesson and yet there was no outrage in the world. I wonder what it will take the world to be outraged about India.”

Shah was arrested in 2010 thanks to an investigation Rana had done but now is one of the most powerful men in the country. She also spoke of her personal plight of feeling lonely in a country where she is forced to live like a criminal.

“My brothers have lost their jobs for being my siblings. My friends are afraid to be seen in public with me and invite me home instead and I have no private life,” she said as she thanked the National Press Club for making her feel less alone.