Tributes paid to slain French cartoonists

Aawaaz, a city-based NGO, paid tributes to the journalists, including the editor of the magazine 'Charlie Hebdo' and the police officers, who were gunned down by terrorists in Paris, at Sector 17, Plaza, here on Thursday.

Aawaaz, a city-based NGO, paid tributes to the journalists, including the editor of the magazine "Charlie Hebdo" and the police officers, who were gunned down by terrorists in Paris, at Sector 17, Plaza, here on Thursday.

Gaurav Goel, founder of the organisation, said media across the world should refuse to be cowed by violence. Our hearts are with the staff of "Charlie Hebdo" and their families. We know very few people go into comedy as an act of courage. "A barbaric and unforgivable act, committed by uncivilised thugs hell-bent on stifling any dissent and criticism they deem unworthy," he said.

Ashish Vashisht, another member of the organisation, said it was a direct challenge to the media commitment to free expression. The NGO activists said more than attack on journalists it was an attack on democracy, because it was a direct offensive on a way of life, on freedom of speech, and on the storied tradition of speaking truth to power. Satire is an essential tool for revealing truth about world. It must be protected in all its forms.