SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, May 2: BJP’s Dhanbad Sadar MLA Raj Sinha expressed deep concern over the delay in taking action in the Dhanbad journalists’ assault case. He stated that the incident has exposed the Congress party’s “double standard” character once again.
Sinha emphasized that the Congress party often displays a discrepancy between its words and actions. He pointed out that a Congress minister in Jharkhand recently declared that his “Shariat” was superior to the Constitution of India. Yet, paradoxically, the party has called for a “Save Constitution” rally in Ranchi on May 6.
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Congress Accused of Inconsistency and Hypocrisy
Raj Sinha continued by pointing out Congress’s historical inconsistency, citing a past instance when the party showed unity with the government during a meeting on the Pahalgam terrorist attack. However, after the meeting, several Congress leaders began expressing support for Pakistan.
“This is not an isolated issue. Congress has a long track record of contradictory actions,” said Sinha, accusing the party of undermining the faith of the people in its character.
Congress’s History of Media Suppression
Sinha further criticized Congress for its treatment of the media, referring to the Emergency period when the party “gagged the media,” which is considered the fourth pillar of democracy. “During the Emergency, Congress even sent journalists to jail, but now it claims to be a champion of democracy while publicly attacking media personnel,” he remarked.
No Action Against Congress Leader Accused of Assaulting Journalists
The assault on journalists took place on April 16 at Randhir Verma Chowk during a Congress party rally against the Enforcement Directorate (ED). Congress’s Dhanbad district executive president, Rashid Raza Ansari, along with his family members, was reportedly involved in attacking half a dozen journalists with iron rods. Despite the gravity of the incident, no action has been taken against Rashid Raza Ansari even after 17 days.
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Congress state Disciplinary Committee chairman Brajendra Prasad Singh, who is also a resident of Dhanbad, took cognizance of the assault incident and formed a three-member probe committee comprising Rakesh Sinha, Gajendra Singh, and Satish Pal Munjni. The committee members arrived in Dhanbad from Ranchi on April 19 to gather details from the victim journalists and condemned the attack.
However, the committee has yet to submit its report to the party. According to Dhanbad Press Club General Secretary Ajay Prasad, Congress state spokesperson L. Shahdeo informed him that the delay is due to one committee member not signing the report. As a result, no action has been taken against Rashid Raza Ansari so far.
“This probe was nothing more than an eyewash,” Prasad said, accusing the Congress party of trying to save face.
Press Club Plans Protest for Justice
In response to the inaction, members of the Dhanbad Press Club plan to hold a demonstration in front of Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge on May 6, during the “Save Constitution” rally in Ranchi. They demand immediate action against Rashid Raza Ansari and accountability for the assault on the journalists.
