The All India Students Association (AISA) has strongly condemned the brutal attack on YouTube journalist Vikas Kumar in Gadhwa, Jharkhand. The organization called it a direct assault on freedom of expression and highlighted the alarming state of law and order in the state.
Vikas Kumar, 22, a resident of Gadhwa (son of Swageerya Bharat Prasad Saw), had gone to Friendship Online Search Center on January 3 to shoot a video. After completing the video, he was suddenly attacked by 10–12 individuals. AISA stated that threats to his safety continue even now.
AISA’s Jharkhand co-secretary Sanjana Mehta spoke to Vikas over the phone to get full details of the incident. Vikas revealed that the attack was carried out by associates of a man named Vikas Mali, who is allegedly involved in serious charges of harassing women and has prior complaints filed against him at the local police station. According to Vikas, these individuals were angered by news content on his channel, initially issued threats, and later launched a coordinated attack.
A complaint has been filed at the local police station, but no concrete action has been taken so far. AISA described the incident as mob-lynching and warned that delayed action could embolden the perpetrators.
AISA has demanded that the police and administration conduct a fair and impartial investigation, immediately arrest the culprits, and ensure the safety and justice of the victim. The organization further warned that if the administration fails to act promptly, they will take to the streets to stage widespread protests.
