Assam media bodies condemn CM Sarma for targeting journalist’s religious identity
Dispur: Media organizations in Assam have sharply criticized Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for targeting a journalist’s religious identity in response to his question on flattening hills in the BJP-ruled state.
According to Kashmir Media Service, during the Chief Minister’s interaction with journalists, reporter Shah Alam, a Muslim, sought to know the status of action against hill-cutting in a part of Assam. In video footage of the interaction, Chief Minister Sarma is seen questioning Alam’s name and linking him to a Muslim-owned university in Meghalaya, which Sarma accused of flattening hills that allegedly contributed to floods in Assam.
The Journalists’ Union of Assam, represented by president Samim Sultana Ahmed and general secretary Dhanjit Kumar Das, condemned the Chief Minister’s remarks. “Instead of addressing the journalist’s legitimate question, the Chief Minister chose to reference his religious identity with a disparaging comment,” they stated. “Such personal attacks based on religion are unbecoming of a Chief Minister and undermine the fundamental right of journalists to pose questions.”
The Gauhati Press Club also voiced concern over the increasing trend of political leaders disparaging journalists during media interactions. “In this instance, the Chief Minister brought up the journalist’s religious identity without any relevant context,” said Sushmita Goswami and Sanjoy Ray, the press club’s president and general secretary. They called for political leaders to uphold respect for the media and avoid such incidents in the future.
The Journalist Association for Assam, including president Abhideep Choudhury, working president Pankaj Deka, chief organizing secretary Kushal Saikia, and secretary general Kunja Mohan Roy, issued a similar statement. They emphasized that associating a journalist’s religious or ethnic identity with professional queries is unacceptable.
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh also condemned Sarma’s comments. “The remarks made by the Assam CM are unacceptable and condemnable. A toxic mix of a sick mind and a loud mouth,” he posted on X.
