The host of a popular South Asian radio program claims he was assaulted by two men on the streets of Calgary over his reporting on extortion and crime.
Rishi Nagar, news director and host for Calgary’s RED FM 106.7, addressed the media on Tuesday for the first time since the incident which he described as an attack on the freedom of the press and the integrity of journalism.
The assault, which occurred on Sunday, is believed to be connected to Nagar’s reporting on extortion and criminal activity within the South Asian community.
However, he said he did not believe the attack to be politicized because Canadians have freedom of speech, press, and expression.
Nagar addressed the media on Tuesday with a bandage wrapped around half of his face, covering his eye. He said he hoped not to be seen as a victim but as a voice for the integrity and necessity of journalism.
“These injuries are for sure painful, but what wounds me more deeply is the intent behind this assault,” said Nagar. “A clear attack on journalism and on the free press. This was not a personal attack on me alone. This was an assault on the very principles that bind us as a free and democratic society.”
The journalist, who has been in the business since 1999, said he has spent most of his career reporting on the extortions and criminal activities affecting South Asian communities, which he added continue to grow.
He said that he continues his reporting career because hard-working and successful members of his community live in constant fear and under threat, emphasizing the importance of the media’s role in delivering unbiased journalism.
“I want to make one thing abundantly clear: I will not be silenced. These cowardly actions will not deter me or my colleagues from continuing our work, nor will they dissuade the press from reporting on matters of public interest,” said Nagar. “They can break my eye; they cannot break my resolve. Journalism is the cornerstone of a free society, and without it, corruption, crime, and injustice would go unchecked.”
Nagar revealed that the doctors told him he risks retinal detachment and choroidal rupture in his eye because there is so much blood inside of it. He will receive a further update on Oct. 8.
He was attending a political event at a banquet hall when he stepped outside to take a phone call. Two men “sneakily followed” him and eventually approached him for a brief conversation, where they complained about his past reporting, alleging that it was untrue.
He knew one of the men and at no point expected to be attacked. However, the other man attacked him and continued doing so after Nagar fell to the ground.
Eventually, two other random pedestrians pulled over to care for Nagar. They helped him come to his senses and call the police.
“I thank God that the attackers fled like cowards, further strengthening my resolve,” Nagar wrote in a Facebook post shortly after the attack. “I am especially thankful to Mr. Burhan Khan, who came to my aid and rescue at that moment.”
Extortion threats targeting South Asian communities have been a growing concern across Alberta, B.C., and Ontario.
Police in these provinces are investigating a series of cases tied to organized crime groups operating out of Punjab, India. In Edmonton alone, 18 extortion incidents were reported in late 2023, many linked to arson and drive-by shootings. Similar cases have emerged in Abbotsford, B.C., and Peel Region, Ontario.
Nagar said he has full faith in the Calgary Police, who continue their investigation.
Police were said to be investigating whether the attack was related to separate reporting Nagar had done on Sept. 24, when two men were reported to have guns in the parking lot.
“The gun charges that have been leveled against those two guys, they also are being investigated for other charges, allegedly also extortions,” said Nagar. “I didn’t mention anything about the extortion charges against those two guys. And now, these guys who attacked me, they were trying to say that the guys who have been arrested — that they were not part of their group. So they were trying to alienate themselves from those two guys. That was their issue.”
He said that he is not the first person and will not be the last to face intimidation and violence.
“Let this unfortunate incident serve as a reminder of the risks many journalists face daily, especially those who dare to speak out against extortions, organized crimes, corruption, and injustice. Let it also be a call to action for greater protection of free press, not just here, but around the world,” said Nagar. “I remain committed to my work and to the principles of truth, justice, and transparency. No act of violence can change that. Journalism will prevail, and the truth will continue to be told.”