March 28, 2025: Former Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) President Ripun Bora has come down heavily on the Assam government over the recent arrest of journalist Dilwar Hussain Mazumdar. In a scathing attack during a press conference, Bora accused Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma of suppressing press freedom and called the move a direct assault on the fourth pillar of democracy.

Expressing outrage over the incident, Bora criticized the Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for maintaining silence initially and reacting only when the matter grabbed national attention. "Instead of addressing the issue sincerely, he is now trying to divert it," Bora alleged. He further condemned the government's reluctance to recognize digital media platforms, despite the Central Government having already granted official recognition to such outlets through a notification.

“It is shocking that the Chief Minister is unaware of digital media's importance in today’s world. After electronic and print media, digital media has emerged as a vital source of information, followed by citizen media. Disrespecting journalists from these platforms is unacceptable,” Bora said. He also added that simply possessing an identity card does not define a journalist, but undermining their legitimacy reflects a deeper intolerance toward media freedom.

Bora questioned the rationale behind the government's stance, asking which law prohibits a journalist from running a vehicle business. "Does the government expect journalists to resort to theft and robbery to earn a living?" he quipped, demanding a response from the Chief Minister.

He further accused the government of deliberately creating an atmosphere of fear, likening it to an “unofficial emergency” where journalists’ constitutional rights were being systematically eroded. Citing the government's selective approach, Bora asked why the Chief Minister was unwilling to recognize portal journalists while continuing to run the news portal “TIME8.” "Is this not hypocrisy? He must answer the people," Bora demanded.

In addition to media freedom, Bora also commented on the upcoming Rabha Hasong Autonomous Council elections. He claimed that a strong anti-establishment wave was sweeping through the region, with public anger directed at Tankeswar Rabha. “The people of Rabha Hasong are dissatisfied. They will silently vote against the BJP and the joint front,” Bora asserted.

Bora also responded to the Chief Minister's recent comments regarding Gaurav Gogoi’s wife’s alleged Pakistan link. Accusing Sarma of blackmail, he said the Chief Minister was meddling in matters beyond his jurisdiction. "This is a case for national investigative agencies, not a platform for the Chief Minister to score political points. He is deliberately creating confusion to tarnish Gaurav Gogoi's reputation, but he will not succeed," Bora added.

Concluding his remarks, Bora called the government's actions a dangerous trend for democracy. He warned that using political power for personal vendettas sets a troubling precedent and urged the state government to uphold press freedom and constitutional values.

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