RJD leader and opposition figure Tejashwi Prasad Yadav demanded strict action, including the expulsion and jailing of BJP minister Jibesh Mishra, over the alleged assault of a local journalist. The journalist, Dilip Kumar Sahni (alias Diwakar), was reportedly thrashed and his mother and sister were verbally abused by the minister and his associates after he asked questions about the dilapidated condition of roads in Mishra’s constituency, Jale.

The incident was brought to public attention when Yadav held a press conference in Patna, where he showed a video purportedly showing the journalist questioning the road conditions. Yadav later accompanied the victim to the Singhwara police station in Darbhanga to ensure an FIR (First Information Report) was lodged against Minister Mishra. Yadav condemned the behavior as “gundaraaj” (rule of criminals) and highlighted that the journalist belonged to a backward community, emphasizing the minister’s unacceptable conduct against a member of the press performing his duty.

Considering the repeated incidents of journalists being physically intimidated or attacked by political figures for raising inconvenient questions, what systemic changes should be implemented to ensure the safety of reporters and guarantee that the act of seeking public accountability does not result in personal criminal charges or violence?

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