New Delhi: Congress chief Rahul Gandhi has written a letter to Manipuri journalist Kishorechandra Wangkhem, who has been detained under the National Security Act, expressing his solidarity.
“This is another attempt to use the state machinery to silence dissent. Over the past few months, we have witnessed the BJP government’s design to trample on constitutional rights of the people of Manipur,” Gandhi’s letter says.
On November 21, 2018, Imphal-based Kishorechandra, then working as an anchor-reporter with ISTV, a local news channel, was arrested by Imphal West Police in response to a video he uploaded on social media, criticising the BJP-led state government. In Meitei language, he severely condemned the state chief minister N. Biren Singh for organising a function to commemorate the fight of the Rani of Jhansi against the British and linking it to the freedom movement of Manipur.
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The journalist has been sentenced to a 12-month jail term – the maximum period of detention allowed under the NSA.
“It is unfortunate that regressive forces continue to unleash violence with impunity, while those who seek accountability from the state are being jailed,” Times of India quoted Gandhi’s letter as saying. “Congress stands in solidarity with (Kishorechandra) and will extend support in any manner possible.”
Kishorechandra Wangkhem. Credit: Facebook
The Indian Journalists Union and the Press Council of India had earlier condemned Kishorechandra’s detention and demanded his release.
“My voice is very vocal, so the government is trying to silence me, trying to gag my voice so that I can’t speak against it. But I want to say that this is a democratic country and we have every right to speak out. Why it is going after me is because in the run-up to the 2019 general elections, I might be speaking against them in a louder voice. But I will fight till I am released. Every one, wake up, don’t be afraid, join me in it – that’s my call to the people of Manipur,” the journalist had said after being jailed.