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The Calcutta High Court on Thursday sought an assurance from the State that no coercive steps would be taken against Anandabazar Patrika journalists facing FIRs over the newspaper's use of the phrase “saffron hooliganism”, provided they cooperate with the notices served on them.

The State, represented by the Additional Advocate General Rajdeep Mazumdar, gave the assurance during the hearing after Senior Advocate S N Mookherjee, assisted by Advocates Arunabha Deb and Ashika Daga, flagged the FIRs registered against the journalists.

Mookherjee submitted that the cases had been initiated on the allegation of incitement, as though the journalists had demeaned sanyasis across the country.

“Case has been started for inciting, as if we have demeaned all sanyasis of the country,” he submitted. He further informed the Court that his office had been painted saffron by protestors.

During the hearing, the Court asked Mookherjee whether he was familiar with the expression “saffron vandalism”. “I do, in fact my father was a part of the saffron brigade,” Mookherjee responded.

The Court also referred to the newspaper's front page. Mookherjee submitted that the matter was not political but concerned the journalists.

“It is not a political matter, it's a journalist's matter,” he said.

Additional Advocate General appearing for the State questioned whether the journalists could claim any special protection.

“They are journalists so they can do anything?” the AAG asked.

Mookherjee clarified that he was not claiming any special privilege. “I am not claiming anything more than an ordinary citizen,” he submitted.

The Court then sought an assurance that no steps would be taken until the matter came up for consideration. The AAG gave the assurance, subject to the journalists' compliance with the notices served on them.

“Let them comply. Till your Lordships takes up the matter, no coercive steps will be taken,” the AAG submitted. The AAG further opposed any blanket protection and reiterated that the journalists must comply with the notices. “There cannot be blanket protection,” he said.

The Court clarified that the journalists would have to comply with the notices.

“Comply with the notice, no steps will be taken. If anything happens, bring it to my notice,” the Court said.

The AAG reiterated that no coercive steps would be taken, subject to the journalists' cooperation. Mookherjee assured the Court that the journalists would comply before the matter came up for hearing.

The FIRs were registered following objections to the use of the phrase "Gerua Gundami" (“saffron hooliganism”) in the newspaper's coverage of alleged violence at Jadavpur University. The journalists have approached the High Court seeking relief in connection with the criminal proceedings.

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