American Hindus Against Defamation (AHAD) Response to Wall Street Journal’s Article on Ankit Sharma’s Murder
March 5, 2020
On February 26, 2020, in a story, “India’s Ruling Party, Government Slammed Over Delhi Violence,” by Krishna Pokharel, Vibhuti Agarwal and Rajesh Roy, wrote the following about the murder of Ankit Sharma, a Hindu:
Mr. Sharma was returning home when a group of rioters started throwing stones and charged into the street near where his house is located, his brother said. “They came armed with stones, rods, knives and even swords; they shouted ‘Jai Shri Ram’ [Glory to Lord Ram]; some even wore helmets,” said Ankur Sharma, in a telephone interview. “They started throwing stones and bricks at residents, who rushed to Ankit to help them….Later, his body was found in a ditch.” https://www.wsj.com/articles/indias-ruling-party-government-slammed-over-delhi-violence-11582734524
This statement is factually incorrect as reported by Indian media:.
A Muslim politician and member of Delhi state’s ruling political party (AAP), Mr. Tahir Hussain has been arrested as part of his anti-Hindu pogrom. Mr. Ankit Sharma was an officer of India’s Intelligence Bureau. It has been alleged that Mr. Sharma was investigating ties between ISIS and Mr. Hussain. AAP has suspended Mr. Hussain from the party.
One of the most prominent Indian newspaper, Times of India fact checked the WSJ story and reported the following:
Mr. Sharma’s brother, quoted in the original WSJ story has refuted the WSJ story:
The Wall Street Journal reporters never checked the facts before accusing Hindus of murder of Mr. Sharma. In addition to blatant expression of Hinduphobia and “blame Hindus first,” their shoddy journalism an insult to the investigative DNA of The Wall Street Journal. This and similar reports in the WSJ have created a anti-Hindu sentiments across the US. It has led to college students now protesting Hindu religious festivals and intimidating Hindu students on campuses.
In a later report, the WSJ have repeated the story with a tangential reference to AAP’s Mr. Tahir’s involvement (https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/times-fact-check/news/fact-check-ankit-sharmas-brother-denies-saying-his-brother-was-killed-by-those-chanting-jai-shri-ram/articleshow/74355310.cms)However, the original anti-Hindu story without any correction is still posted on WSJ site.
American Hindus Against Defamation (AHAD) demands that WSJ immediately correct this news item and issue an apology to Hindus for this factually incorrect report.
Ajay Shah
Convener, American Hindus Against Defamation
Executive Vice President, World Hindu Council of America (VHPA)