NEW DELHI – Renowned journalist and Washington Post columnist Rana Ayyub has revealed that she and her father were threatened with death if she did not publish an op-ed glorifying the assassination of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
Ayyub shared the chilling details of the threats on social media, stating that the calls came from a Canadian number. The person on the other end of the line claimed to have full knowledge of her home address and the whereabouts of her father.
“On the night of November 2nd, I received a phone call from a Canadian number threatening to kill me and my father if I did not publish an op-ed in the Washington Post glorifying the assassination of Indira Gandhi. The display picture of the caller was that of notorious gangster Lawrence Bishnoi,” Ayyub said in her post.
The caller, identified as “Harry Shooter,” allegedly recited Ayyub’s residential address and threatened to send shooters to her location. The caller even mentioned that Ayyub’s parents were traveling, naming the city they were in, and vowed to kill her father, claiming no one would be able to save him.
“I immediately contacted the @Navimumpolice who dispatched officers to patrol my home overnight, and also reached out to my parents wherever they were,” Ayyub said, adding that no FIR had been filed yet. She expressed concern over the lack of legal action and urged the police to swiftly identify and apprehend the perpetrators.
The police in Mumbai took immediate action, increasing security around Ayyub’s residence and ensuring her father’s safety.
Thread: On the night of the 2nd of November, I received a phone call from a Canadian number threatening to kill me and my father if i did not publish an op-ed in the Washington post glorifying the assassination of Indra Gandhi. The display picture was that of Lawrence Bishnoi pic.twitter.com/UAJPdjLfCK
— Rana Ayyub (@RanaAyyub) November 4, 2025
International organizations have also responded strongly to the threats. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), based in the United States, condemned the threats and called on Indian authorities to ensure the safety of Ayyub and other journalists.
“The threats of violence made against Rana Ayyub and her father from an unknown international number are deeply concerning,” said Kunal Majumder, CPJ’s India representative. “Authorities must act swiftly to identify and hold accountable those responsible and ensure the safety of all journalists in India so they can work without fear of intimidation or violence.”
In her complaint, reviewed by CPJ, Ayyub mentioned that the threats included multiple video calls, phone calls, and WhatsApp messages over a 20-minute period on November 2. The caller demanded she write a column on the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, during which over 3,000 Sikhs were killed in the aftermath of the assassination of Indira Gandhi by her Sikh bodyguards.
Ayyub, known for her investigative journalism, has been a vocal critic of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Her outspoken views have led to a relentless campaign of online harassment, including trolling, abuse, and the leaking of her personal phone number by supporters of the ruling party.
The threats could be linked to Ayyub’s vocal stance on various political issues, including her criticism of the government and her work on issues of religious intolerance. She has also been subjected to relentless campaigns by some Hindutva supporters, who have previously glorified the actions of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, who has been implicated in the killings of certain Khalistani leaders abroad.
Ayyub’s situation underscores the growing threat faced by journalists in India, particularly those who criticize powerful political figures. Despite the grave nature of the threats, authorities have yet to file a formal charge, and there is concern over the lack of action to hold the responsible individuals accountable.
As the investigation continues, Ayyub and her supporters are calling for swift justice and for the government to ensure the safety of journalists working in politically sensitive environments.
