The Media Association of Assam (MAA) and the Guwahati Press Club have condemned Assam minister of Public Health Engineering Jayanta Malla Baruah's “insulting” remarks about a journalist.
Baruah sparked controversy during a press conference in Guwahati on June 27, where he was responding to questions related to the Gir cow row. Following a question from a Sadin-Pratidin group journalist, the minister reportedly referred to him as “inferior.”
“I will not speak to inferior people like you… I will answer when your owner asks me a question,” Baruah was heard saying.
The MAA has demanded an apology from the Baruah, and the GPC, without naming the minister, has expressed strong outrage over the repeated targeting of journalists by politicians across parties when confronted with uncomfortable questions.
“A person has every right to refuse to answer a question posed by a journalist. But questioning the credibility of the scribe or their media house and hurling insults is undignified,” said Susmita Goswami, president of the GPC.
It reminded political leaders that if they are unwilling to be questioned, they should refrain from inviting the media altogether and instead issue statements.
In a joint statement, MAA president Hiren Chandra Kalita and secretary-general Chandra Kumar Shaikia expressed deep outrage and urged the minister to apologise without delay. The association has also asked all journalists to boycott Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah until he tenders an apology.
Earlier too, the Club had raised concerns over rising hostility towards journalists and called for restraint and respect from those in power. “Such behaviour will not dissuade journalists from discharging their duties responsibly. The voice of a free press cannot be stifled,” it reiterated.
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