‘Will ask questions no matter what’: Assam journalist after being released on bail
Mozumdar said, 'I have not done anything illegal. What kind of a sin of mine can asking questions be? But I will keep asking questions, no matter what troubles might come my way'
3 min read
Mozumdar was granted bail in that case Wednesday evening but had to remain in custody overnight because it was granted late in the evening. After being released on bail in both cases he was jailed for, Assam journalist Dilwar Hussain Mozumdar said Saturday that he will keep asking questions as a journalist.
Breaking down outside Central Jail Guwahati after his release and thanking other journalists for their support, Mozumdar said: “I have not done anything illegal. What kind of a sin of mine can asking questions be? But I will keep asking questions, no matter what troubles might come my way”.
Mozumdar – a reporter with the Assam-based digital media portal The CrossCurrent, known for its investigative reportage on the state government – was released Saturday after spending four days in jail. He had been detained in the Pan Bazar police station Tuesday after he went to cover a protest against the Assam Co-operative Apex Bank (ACAB), and was arrested later that night based on a complaint that alleged criminal intimidation and violation of provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act for “offensive remarks” against a security guard at the bank.
Mozumdar was granted bail in that case Wednesday evening but had to remain in custody overnight because it was granted late in the evening. Before he was released the next day, he was arrested in another case, this time filed by ACAB MD Dombaru Saikia alleging that he had unlawfully entered the first floor of the bank and had attempted to take away documents.
Mozumdar was granted bail in the second case Friday night.
Several journalist bodies such as the Press Club of India, DIGIPUB News India Foundation, Guwahati Press Club, and Assam Women Journalist’s Forum had condemned his arrest as a breach of press freedom.
“First, I want to thank every journalist who stood for me in various parts of the state and in the country, and every citizen who spoke in support of me, gave me strength and solidarity. And I thank the lawyers who fought for me in the court and every member of their teams. None of the lawyers took even one paisa and helped me get this justice,” he said, speaking to reporters after his release.
He further said: “You have all seen what has and what has not happened. As a journalist, my work is to question. I will continue to ask questions, no matter what troubles come my way. You all keep this trust in me that unlawful and illegal, these are two things I have never done and will never do in the future”.
You May Like
