Assam journalist arrested after questioning senior bank official over 'financial irregularities'
Guwahati (PTI): A journalist of a digital news portal in Assam has been arrested after being detained for over nine hours by the police, after he questioned the MD of a cooperative bank over alleged financial irregularities in the institution during a protest here, officials said.
Dilwar Hussain Mozumder, chief reporter of 'The Cross Current', was summoned to the Panbazar police station on Tuesday afternoon and subsequently detained, they said.
Mozumder, who is also the assistant general secretary of the Gauhati Press Club, was arrested after midnight under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including those pertaining to criminal intimidation or the act of threatening someone to harm them, and relevant sections of the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, the officials said.
The incident took place when the journalist asked questions to the MD as the Assam Jatiya Parishad's youth wing Jatiya Yuva Shakti (JYS) on Tuesday staged a dharna in front of the Assam Cooperative Apex Bank Ltd to protest against alleged financial irregularities.
Mozumder is the prime accused in the FIR filed by a complainant, whose name has not been mentioned in the arrest information report.
The complaint said the journalist’s remarks were made to intentionally insult, humiliate and offend the complainant, who is a Scheduled Tribe (ST).
The police report mentions that the offence is cognisable and non-bailable as per the provisions of the BNS and the SC/ST Act, leading to his immediate arrest, the officials said.
The arrest was necessary to prevent the accused from influencing the complainant or witnesses, ensuring a fair investigation and avoiding any tampering with evidence, according to the police.
Mozumder, who also filed a complaint with the police which is yet to be registered, alleged that a video recording of the protest was deleted inside the MD’s chamber, and that he had also asked the scribe to ensure the demonstrations be stopped.
His wife and lawyer were reportedly allowed to enter the police station late on Tuesday, after repeated pleas that Mozumder needs medication.
Several media organisations have condemned the arrest and protest programmes have been planned on Wednesday.
Opposition parties like the Congress, Raijor Dal and the Assam Jatiya Parishad have also demanded his immediate release.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Syed Shafiulla calls out hypocrisy over street Namaz vs. Hindu festivals; Video goes viral
New Delhi: A recent episode of The Sujit Kumar Show, featuring Congress leader Syed Shafiulla as a guest, has sparked widespread discussion across social media platforms. The video, which was uploaded on February 9, 2025, on the official YouTube channel of The Sujit Kumar Show, has garnered only around 5,200 views on the platform as of March 29, 2025 but has gone viral on other social media channels and pages.
The segment that has drawn the most attention revolves around a debate on the practice of offering Namaz on the streets. When the host questioned the justification of street prayers, Syed Shafiulla gave a sharp and assertive response, which resonated with many viewers and quickly spread across various platforms.
In the viral clip, Syed Shafiulla challenged the fairness of the host's questioning, arguing that religious activities on streets are not exclusive to Muslims. He pointed out that Hindu festivals such as Ganesh Chaturthi, Krishna Janmashtami, and Kanwar Yatra also involve public celebrations that occupy streets.
"Don't you think there should be equality for everyone?" Syed Shafiulla asked. "Do Hindus not celebrate festivals on streets? Are all religious activities in India confined to temples? Do Kanwariyas walk inside their homes? Why are you asking only about Muslims?"
The host appeared visibly caught off guard and struggled to provide a response. Syed Shafiulla further elaborated on how Hindu religious practices also spill over onto public roads, questioning why similar scrutiny is not applied to them. His counterargument, particularly referencing Ganesh Chaturthi processions and Janmashtami celebrations, struck a chord with many viewers, leading to widespread discussion online.
Syed Shafiulla is a politician from Karnataka who has previously served as the State Senior Vice President of the Janata Dal (Secular). However, in September 2023, he resigned from both his position and the party’s primary membership after JD(S) aligned with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. He cited ideological differences, emphasizing that JD(S) had traditionally upheld secular principles that he felt conflicted with BJP’s political stance. Following his resignation, he joined the Indian National Congress.
His remarks come amidst ongoing debates on religious equality, secularism, and media biases, especially in the wake of the forthcoming Eid-ul-Fitr. The controversy was triggered by police orders banning namaz on streets in various districts of Uttar Pradesh, including Meerut and Sambhal. Adding to the tension, the Meerut Police has threatened to cancel passports and driving licences for violations. Right-wing handles and their supporters have since engaged in baseless debates on social media, further fueling the discourse.
