JOIN USShirin Dalvi, the editor of Urdu newspaper Avadhnama, on Monday got some reprieve from the Bombay High Court, which restrained the Maharashtra government, from taking any action against her till February 11.
The newspaper had published a cartoon from the cover page of French satirical magazine, Charlie Hebdo, in its January 16 edition. After the incident, the newspaper was forced to stop its publication. Dalvi was arrested and later released on bail. She also moved the Bombay High Court – after a series of FIRs were registered against her.
The Charlie Hebdo office in Paris was attacked on January 7, 2015 by gunmen who shot down two policemen and 10 journalists, including four famous cartoonists of the magazine and its editor Stéphane “Charb” Charbonnier.
Even as she was targeted by a section of media, she had gained support also. “Shirin Dalvi is a respected journalist with more than 20 years of experience in Urdu journalism.
She is perhaps the only woman editor in Urdu journalism in India, has written on issues concerned women’s rights and politics and is well-known for her literary skill and learning,” a group of activists said in a statement.
The Mumbai Press Club in a statement had said, “The slander being spread against Dalvi in sections of the Urdu press as well as on social media, have made it difficult for her to live at home.
Since January 17, Dalvi, who is a single parent, and her two college-going children have been staying with friends; the latter have not been able to attend college.
The Mumbai edition of Awadhnama has been closed down, rendering Dalvi and the entire staff of the daily jobless.”
The interim order was passed by a division bench of Justice Ranjit More and Justice Anuja Prabhudesai on a petition filed by Dalvi.
The next hearing is on February 11.