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Assam beware of saffron fanatics!

14/10/2015

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PictureRepresentative Image. Courtesy-i.imgur.com
The clarion has been blown; all the entrants are on their groves; its mandate 2016 knocking vigorously at the door! From high voltage rallies to revamping of policies to stalwart leaders representing numerous political parties visiting Assam, they are leaving no stone unturned to lure the voters. Thus, battle for 2016 Assam assembly election has been kicked off.

If experts are to be believed after 15 long years of Congress regime in the state the question-what next, makes this electoral clash even more interesting. According to political pundits keeping aside smaller parties, the Congress, All India United Democratic Font(AIUDF) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) could be espied as the key players of the game. Unlike previous terms when the battle is restricted to the regional parties, the poll scenario looks different. BJP is the new but a powerful entrant here. After its unprecedented victory in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections the Narendra Modi government went all guns blazing to leave its footmarks across the country forming government in Haryana, Mumbai and a coalition in Jammu and Kashmir. Though the BJP’s winning chariot was halted in Delhi by Aam Aadmi Party, but now the BJP will look to get back in the winning aura again.
 
According to BJP minister Sarbananada Sonwal over 3,000 aspirants have submitted applications seeking BJP party tickets for the 126-member state assembly elections in Assam. Added to that migration of flamboyant leader Dr. Himanta Biswa Sharma and other ten other MLAs from Congress to BJP, gives a sense of the saffron party’s firm eye to grip the state. Thus, this makes the fear of BJP playing its age old card of bigotry politics for polarization and communalization quite obvious.

PictureA copy of the letter written by the secretary of Kumarpara Muslim Jamat Committee. Courtesy- Social Media
The BJP has already opened its card beyond doubt. The first litmus test came in the form of center’s notification granting asylum to Bangladeshi Hindu migrants in Assam. Though this was mere notification but the BJP succeeded to create a divisive strife in Assam. As repercussions on one side we saw various Assamese organizations registering their protest against this notification while on the other side anti-Assamese slogans made its way from numerous non-Assamese groups. But, behind the ethnic tension simmering in the state very few perhaps realized that it was a well orchestrated one by the BJP and the damage of polarization was already done!
 
The heinous Dadri lynching that sent shock ripples globally is assuredly afresh in our minds, but what came as aftermath of the saddening episode was even more shocking. With the arrest of one Vishal, having political affiliations with the BJP, accused of inciting the mob; one can’t downplay the fact of an orchestrated communal disharmony on part of the saffron brigade. Even the modus operandi was much similar to that of the 2013 Muzaffarnagar riots. First an announcement on a loudspeaker about a cow slaughtered and later rumor spreading across the village via WhatsApp and social media tools. This gives enough instance of the saffron brigade’s type of politics.
 
The recent strife between two religious group in Silchar gives yet another instance of communal polarization to score political brownie points. It was on October 1st when I opened my mailbox to astonishment. A mail from a gentleman read, “Can you please help people of Barak Valley. We are facing severe and major communal problems from last few days.” He further went on to indicate the involvement of saffron fanatics behind these acts. Being presently based out of India, I didn’t have much for him to offer. All I could do was to appeal him to maintain calm and not get instigated by rumors and take help of the administration and police in situations of utmost adversity.
 
But, when I went on to cross check his claims I was appraised that BJP leaders were brazenly defying the law. It went to an extent where Police had to arrest BJP Silchar MLA Dilip Paul and Cachar district president Kaushik Rai after they flout Section 144 in Meherpur. But, what was even more jaw dropping was when acting deputy commissioner of Cachar, M K Das, convened an all-party meeting to maintain peace in the town, BJP decided to boycott it!



PictureTime now to continue the endeavor with same enthusiasm and not succumb to bigotry politics and fanatics. Representative Image | Courtesy- latimesphoto.files.wordpress.com
There has also been attempts to create strife by a section of Muslim community as well. As of recently the secretary of Kumarpara Muslim Jamat Committee wrote to the Deputy Commissioner against the immersion procession of idols during Durga Puja. Kumarmara is counted among Guwahati’s one of the oldest and busiest areas. As per the request of that committee representative since a mosque is located on the route thus durga puja procession often tend to disturb those offering ‘namaz’. This saw emotions running high while a section looked to gain political mileage giving it a communal colour. However, sharp criticism and intervention of some right thinking Muslims of the city brought an end to this drama.
 
But, being on ground it’s WE the people of Assam who can defeat these religious fanatics and bigotry politics. Home to a diverse language, communities and ethnicities it’s being Assamese that binds us to the feeling of oneness. The other day I went to a coffee shop in London while the caterer was preparing my cup I was browsing through the various posters and ads displayed. I stumbled upon one which informed about the availability of veritable Assam tea. When I enquired the manager if he knows where Assam is he answered in negative but added that Assam tea has an invincible fame in the city for its flavor. I could see the glitter in his eyes when I told him that I hail from Assam and it is in India. I had moist eyes, I reckoned my land, I was drenched in a patriotic fervor! Perhaps that’s the specialty of Assam, that’s the pride in being an Assamese.
 
Focusing back to the election fever, there would certainly be attempts to taint the peaceful setup of Assam. But, the inhabitants of the state have to be aware of any such polarizing acts by saffron brigade or any other bigots. Assam is the land of Srimanta Sankardev and well as Ajan Fakir. We are known globally for upholding the truest virtue of harmony, unity and peace. Time now to continue the endeavor with same enthusiasm and not succumb to bigotry politics and fanatics.
 
 
(The author is a journalist and political writer presently based in England, pursuing a master’s program in International Journalism from University of Sussex. He reports on the socio-political setup. His works can be viewed on www.shamimzakaria.com)

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A Rendezvous With the Stalwarts of Journalism

5/10/2015

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PicturePaul Lashmar, Investigative Journalist empowering the audience
​It’s been about four weeks now since I stepped in British land and the journey both interms of education and personal endeavour in this country has been exuberantly exciting and assuredly this voyage would lead to a lot more erudite discoveries. Being a student of journalism apart from knowing the journalistic aura and political fragrance of the country, the greatest perk came today in the form of an empowering seminar entitled, ‘Investigative Journalism-the past, present and the future.’ The event ushered the audience with an opportunity to hear some of the impeccable voices in journalism speaking about the arena on the whole and their arduous journey.
 
The discussion primarily centred around investigative journalism, its practice and practical relevance. The event that was stratified into two parts, the second of which belonged to some stalwart editors hailing from Brighton’s print and broadcast media sharing their thought on the aspects of local journalistic practice.
 
The evening embarked with Paul Lashmar’s presentation explaining the nitty-gritty of investigative journalism. He is a renowned investigative journalist having set numerous precedences during his endeavour and is also a senior lecturer in journalism at University of Sussex. Emphasising on how to be a successful investigative journalist he asked the reporters to brad on curiosity. “State of mind is core to investigative journalism. The reporters need to keep questioning things,” added Paul Lashmar. Pointing at the traits of an investigative reporter and his report Paul Lashmar put forth a valiant point stating, “Facts that nobody has previously dug out and nobody else can ever dig out in future course.” While there isn’t any specific trait of an investigative reporter but what Paul Lashmar stressed upon was possessing some amount of previous reporting experience and knowledge of law most importantly.
 
During the course of his talk Paul Lashmar recollected numerous interesting professional anecdotes from his long spanning journalistic career. While he suggested a galore of acknowledged documentaries/movies pertaining to investigative journalism that included Michael Moore’s Fahrenheit 9/11 and Insider among others; he also threw light on some of the most illuminating investigative journalists from around the world including the likes of Nick Davies; Bob Woodward; Seymour Hersh; John Pilger and Carl Bernstein.

​Summing up his empowering talk Paul Lashmar asked the aspiring journalist to choose any great journalist as their role model and follow their footsteps. Adding to it he said, “If I ask a group of literature students to give me three names of their favourite author, assuredly each one in the group would come up with theirs, in spur of a minute. However, if I ask a group of journalism student about three of their favourite journalists most of them would keep pondering.” Thus, he directed every journalism student to follow their favourite journalist, their work, their stories and how they actually scratch a story.
 
Apparently what gave the jam packed audience enough food for thought was, when Paul Lashman asked the students to think themselves not as students but as trainee journalist from day one. “Don’t merely rely on books. Get out, talk to people and get yourself involved. You are a journalist from first day itself.”
 
The second personage to grace the dais was Mike Gilson who serves as the editor of Brighton’s local daily, The Argus. Apart from his personal journey he spoke at length about journalism opportunities in the city. Perhaps one of the most important suggestion coming from him was listening to people even if they aren’t of any interest. “Listen to people, how much uninteresting they might be. You never know who gives you a tip-off for a good story,” he added. Speaking in particular about the importance of a good story Mike Gilson said, “Good stories are always in demand.” He also briefly touched on the aspects of morality and audacity which a journalist must posses. “Small guys need to step up to those in power and say look we are similar, we are equal and have our voices,” he added.
 
Leading the broadcast flag was Tim Ridgeway, the News Editor of Latest TV. His brief talk encompassed the importance of local TV channels and the role these channels can play affecting the lives of city dwellers. He also spoke by and large about the functioning and organisational structure of Latest TV.
PictureTim Ridgeway, News Editor, latest TV during his talk
Greg Hadfield was the speaker to pull down the curtains on this evening of enlightenment. Starting on an interesting note on empowering the voiceless he said, “If you are thinking to build your career in this field, don’t think only interms of working in newspaper or print. There are numerous other ways of giving voice to the voiceless.” Greg Hadfield who is the editorial director of Brighton and Hove Independent, enlightened about which he believes is the most beautiful aspect of journalism; wherein one goes out, finds new stuff and finally releases it. Asking to reading the works of George Orwell, came as an important piece of advice for the aspiring journalists. He further spoke on how there are always new stories around and to lie back and say that there’s nothing new is being ‘lazy’ as a  journalist.
 
The event organised by Brighton Journalists Works and University of Sussex, marked the presence of a full house audience and the peroration saw a brief question and answer session where students tried quenching their thirst of curiosity.
 
A personal experience
Since the time I was informed about this seminar I was excited, for this would be my maiden experience in UK hearing from the people who directly hails from the industry. Being an on-campus resident I started from my room at around 6:10pm and just after walking a few meters it started raining cats and dogs! However, somehow running, huffing and puffing I made it to the event and had a ride on the wheel of knowledge.
The seminar ended but the rain didn’t, indeed it was more heavy than before. Yet, after a fierce battle with the droplets finally was back in my abode being soaked from top to bottom. But, all that barely matters when one gets to hear such impeccable minds of journalism. It was certainly an erudite experience getting appraised about the practical scenario from these stalwarts. And this is how I would like to conclude my evening-
'Drenched both in knowledge and a gusty downpour'
​


NB- The poor quality of the images is resultant of mobile phone photography. The author highly regrets it.

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.
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