Freedom of press is an indispensable attribute in a modern world order. Responsible and matured journalists are expected to unfurl the transgressions in the government and likewise it is expected of the ruling dispensation to give a deep thought to the points brought out and introspect to set things right.

This is the norm in any democratic setup and that is why the media is honoured and given due protection of the law under all circumstances. However, the monarchy, particularly when it degenerates to an anarchy, fails to assess this fact and brooks no dissent and spares no means in suppressing the free thought espoused by the journalists, social advocates and human rights activists.

The world at large is deeply pained to know about the sudden disappearance of Jamal Khashoggi who was a Saudi journalist and author and editor of popular news channel and newspaper. However, his frank views did not resonate with the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia and he was forced to flee the country in September 2017 and took refuge in the United States. Due to personal reasons on Oct 2 he had gone to the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul-Turkey to collect a document. A Turkish lady whom he was supposed to marry was waiting outside the embassy. Though she waited for hours Khashoggi did not return.

The Turkish authorities have produced evidence through a video footage that he had entered the Saudi consulate but did not walk out. It is being strongly alleged that the Saudi operatives entered the consulate, tortured and killed him and thereafter dismembered him. Though Saudi Arabia has denied the charges, stating that Khashoggi left the consulate safely, they have not produced any proof in this regard. The world has reacted strongly on Saudi Arabia’s attitude, for in the past too they have been silencing the voices of the dissenters by ruthless imprisonment. The US President has said that there would be ‘severe punishment’ on Saudi Arabia if the regime is involved in the killing.  European countries like the UK, France and Germany have demanded credible investigation to establish the truth, and fear of economic sanctions against the kingdom are looming large, reflecting on their economy, as a number of top business houses are withdrawing their proposed projects in the kingdom.

The world should unite to cut to size the oil rich nation which has always been the source of terrorist funding.