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Ground Report | New Delhi: Danish Siddiqui's Anti-CAA Book; The family of the Indian photojournalist Danish Siddiqui, has issued a statement distancing itself and the slain Reuters journalist from a photobook, curated by Aasif Mujataba and Md Meharban, titled ‘Hum Dekhenge: Protest and Pogrom’.
This book released by the ex Jamia Millia Islamia University students document the anti-CAA and Delhi riots wherein Islamist mobs had run amok, creating havoc in the National Capital.
Danish Siddiqui a renowned Indian Photojournalist was killed in July while covering the Taliban's reconquest of Afghanistan. As a photojournalist, Danish has covered several important stories from all over the world. He further produced a photo series on Muslim Converts in England. His works are published in all the prominent newspapers, magazines including BBC, The Washington Post, CNN news etc and other leading publications.
The book comprises 223 photos captured and documented by 28 photographers in total. In a press release, the publishers had said, “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 (massacre) that was carried out in North East Delhi.”
“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,” the publishers said.
The family’s statement read, claiming Danish was involved and gave suggestions for the book amounts to raising doubts over his “professional ethics” and “credibility”.
Curated by Aasif Mujtaba and Mohd Meharban, the book was published by the White Dot Publishers. It is “a visual compilation of the unwavering resilience, courage and perseverance of the Muslim community who not only stood strongly but fought bravely when its citizenship was being challenged by the state”, the publishers said.
Siddiqui’s family has raised an objection that his name must be mentioned in the Anti-CAA Protest Book. The family has issued a statement alleging that the authors of a photo book called ‘Hum Dekhenge’ had not sought any authorisation from the family to associate Siddiqui’s name with their project contrary to their purported claim in media interviews.
In the statement, his family raised objections to the claims of the book's authors that Siddiqui was "involved with the book and would give suggestions on making it better". The family further added by claiming that Danish was involved and gave suggestions for the book amounts to raising doubts over his “professional ethics” and “credibility.” The family on Tuesday issued a press note regarding the same allegation.
However, the Danish's father, Akhtar Siddiqui, said: "The authors of the book have dedicated this book to the late Dane Siddiqui, the Reuters photojournalist who died while serving in Afghanistan in 2021. Additionally, in interviews with the media, the authors of the book also claimed that Danish was involved. with the book and give suggestions for improving it. On behalf of the Danish family, we would like to state categorically that no permission has been given to anyone to associate the Danish name with this project.
“We would like to state categorically that Danish Siddiqui has maintained the highest standards of freedom and integrity of the press during his life and career as a journalist. He covered the Shaheen Bagh protests with objectivity and neutrality like any other professional assignment. Showing him falsely in this way raises false questions about his professional ethics and credibility and seriously damages his professional reputation, in addition to deeply hurting his already bereaved family,” he said.
Siddiqui "hopes" that the authors "take note of this and withdraw their statements made to the press". He also added, in the future, "anyone considering using the Danish Siddiqui name for any project - commercial or non-commercial - is encouraged to seek the consent or permission of their family".
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