Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma Attacks Journalist’s Religious Identity, Links Him With ‘Muslim University’
The incident occurred when a journalist questioned the Chief Minister about hill-cutting activities in his constituency.
Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s alleged attack on a scribe’s devout identification for the time of a media interaction in Guwahati on Thursday, 22 August 2024 has created an strong controversy and a lot Journalist providers in Assam have raised strong issue over the depend.
The incident in query got here about on Wednesday when a journalist puzzled the Chief Minister about hill-slicing activities in his constituency. After discovering the journalist transformed into Muslim, Sarma allegedly associated him with a Muslim collage owner from Meghalaya, who Sarma has blamed for artificial floods in Guwahati as a end results of hill-slicing.
The Journalist Union of Assam (JUA) has criticized Sarma for targeting the journalist’s devout identification in obstacle of the query posed. “The Chief Minister’s reaction, which concerned demeaning the journalist in line with his religion, is deplorable. We title on him to forestall such conduct in the tip,” cited the JUA.
The Gauhati Press Club (GPC) has voiced concerns over the rising number of disparaging remarks via political leaders in path of journalists for the time of press interactions, most time and again when questions are posed as a component to their professional duties.
”In one of most likely the most up-to-date case, the CM pulled the devout identification of a journalist into context with none apparent relevance. We urge all political leaders to be specific no recurrence of such situations in the tip, and train dignity to their role as relevant as the role of media,” the GPC cited in a declaration.
The Assam Girls Journalists’ Forum (AWJF) additionally took serious cognisance of the CM’s alleged commentary.
”A journalist’s accountability is to ask questions. To reply to or now now not is the prerogative of the character being requested the query. We charm to all stakeholders and these in positions of authority to forestall making such evaluations in the tip so that journalists can elevate on with their duties and responsibilities devoid of fear”, the AWJF cited in a declaration.
The forum additionally appealed to editors of experiences providers inside of the kingdom to take a stand in case their scribes come beneath attack.
The Journalist Affiliation For Assam (JAFA) and Childhood Journalist Forum of Assam (YJFA) additionally expressed their issue over Sarma’s remarks.
(With PTI inputs)
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