Jonathan Fernandes, the 24-year-old drummer of Mumbai hardcore act Reverrse Polarity (pictured) passed away in a tragic accident on Sunday, June 26. In New Delhi for his Commerical Pilot License examination, the young musician and aspiring pilot was at a friend’s house in outer Delhi to celebrate a birthday when he allegedly fell to his death from a seventh story balcony.
Given the sensational nature of the incident, the mainstream media was quick to pick up on a poorly worded piece by the Press Trust of India. The article labeled Fernandes ”heavily drunk” in the first line, based only on a preliminary report by an unnamed “official”. Although a number of outlets carried the piece, the Times of India was subject to a backlash from friends and fans of the band for the newspaper’s coverage of the accident.
Our sincere condolences go out to Fernandes’ bandmates, family and friends in this time of grief, as we mourn the untimely passing of the talented young drummer. A funeral mass will be held this evening in Mumbai at 4.30 pm at the Don Bosco Church in Borivali (W).
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