Silchar journalists burn effigy of Badaruddin Ajmal

December 27: The ‘indecent act’ of All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) supremo and Dhubri MP Maulana Badruddin Ajmal towards a journalist on Wednesday at Mankachar, South Salmara-Mankachar district in Assam raised several eyebrows in the state and the country. Multiple FIR were also lodged against AIUDF chief in Assam in this regard. Members of the Dispur Press Club on Thursday even wore black badges to protest against the act of Mr. Ajmal.

At Silchar too, the journalists wore black badges as a mark of protest. They raised slogans against the indecent behaviour of the AIUDF supremo and burnt his effigy. Many journalists assembled near the office of the Deputy Commissioner and spoke against the way Mr. Ajmal manhandled the journalist on Wednesday.

Speaking during the occasion, Journalist Subir Dutta severely criticised the action of AIUDF supremo as highly undemocratic. He regarded the incident as an attack on democracy. Mr. Dutta said that when newsmen in all parts of the country are now very insecure, such kind of behaviour from a parliamentarian. He went further and said that the AIUDF supremo should immediately resign from his post. He said that if such type of incidents are repeated by Mr. Ajmal then complaints would be lodged by Journalists federation of Assam in all the police stations of the state.

Another journalist Dilip Singh alleged that fourth pillar of democracy was in a sense murdered by Badarudiin Ajmal. He raised serious objections against the unparliamentarian words used by him towards a journalists. he demanded legal action against Mr. Ajmal.

Another senior journalist Pijush Das condemned the behaviour of Mr. Ajmal in strong words and also raised the demand of the parliamentarian.

The incident was also criticised by the Central Committee and Barak valley Committee of Journalist Union of Assam.

Immediately after a press meet on Wednesday, a video of the incident went viral in social media where AIUDF supremo Ajmal was seen threatening a scribe of dire consequences. The press meet was convened after AIUDF felicitated the candidates of won in the recently concluded Panchayat polls. As per the video which has gone viral, a journalist was heard asking Ajmal whether his party will make alliance with the BJP or the Congress. This infuriated Ajmal so much that he was seen hurling a microphone towards the scribe. Ajmal also verbally abused the reporter by calling him as ‘Badmaas’ (mischievous) and ‘kukkur’ (dog). In Assamese he further said “Mathaa phali dim”, which means ‘will smash your head.’ He also threatened the journalist by saying that he has “thousands of people” with him.