Rahul pens solidarity letter to Manipur journalist detained for criticising BJP, Modi

Congress President Rahul Gandhi has sent out a strongly-worded letter to detained Manipur journalist Kishore Chandra Wangkhem, in a show of solidarity with the scribe who had been sentenced to a one-year term under the National Security Act last month for criticising the state government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on social media.

"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," Rahul said in his letter.

Rahul stated that the Congress would extend all support possible to the journalist.

The Congress President lamented that those "seeking accountability from the state are being jailed," while "regressive forces continue to unleash violence with impunity."

"Fascist forces have not only attempted to destroy the idea of India but attack anyone who challenges their distorted narrative," the Congress President said in his letter.

Wangkhem, an Imphal-based journalist working at local TV channel ISTV, was arrested on Nov 21 by local police after he uploaded a video on Facebook.

In that video, Wangkhem was severely critical of the BJP-led state government for organising an event commemorating the fight of Rani of Jhansi against the British colonialists, further linking it to the freedom movement in Manipur.

The Press Council of India has also demanded the immediate release of Wangkhem.

Wanghkhem had defended his actions after his arrest, questioning the motive of the authorities in arresting him in the lead-up to the Lok Sabha polls.

“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,” he had been quoted as saying after being jailed.