Mumbai Press Club Members Respond To Allegations, Clarifiy Stand On Recent Controversy
The ongoing controversy surrounding the Mumbai Press Club has intensified in recent weeks, with several senior journalists and former members criticising the club’s management over the expulsion of certain members and allegations regarding restrictions on discussions linked to the Bhima Koregaon case.
In response, a group of current club members has issued a statement defending the management’s actions and accusing critics of spreading misinformation and attempting to damage the institution’s reputation.
According to the statement, claims that activist and writer Anand Teltumbde or any other individual had been banned from entering the Press Club are “factually incorrect.” The members stated that no such prohibition was imposed by the club and alleged that rumours surrounding a supposed ban were being amplified unnecessarily.
The statement further argued that disciplinary action against three members — Gurbir Singh, Shrikant Modak, and Bernard D’Mello — was taken only after an internal inquiry and after the individuals were given an opportunity to present their side.
The club members also claimed that the controversy stemmed from an event organised at the club premises that allegedly violated bail conditions imposed on some of the accused in the Bhima Koregaon case. According to the statement, restrictions on interaction between certain accused persons had led investigative agencies, including the NIA, to intervene, creating legal complications for the club.
Defending the club’s position, the statement said that as an institution, the Press Club was obligated to function within the framework of the law and could not be used to further any individual political agenda.
The members also suggested that some of the criticism directed at the current administration reflected discomfort with the changing composition of the club’s management. They highlighted that the present leadership includes younger journalists and reflects greater social and linguistic diversity.
The statement was signed by several members of the Mumbai Press Club, including journalists and media professionals from different backgrounds.
