Senior journalist and popular YouTuber Ajit Anjum has been booked by the Bihar Police following his visit to a polling booth in Balia, Bihar, on July 12, where he reportedly questioned the election process and the treatment of Muslim voters, as per a report by the New Indian Express.
Anjum, who is known for his bold and critical journalism on political and social issues, had gone to the Block Auditorium in Sahibpur Kamal Assembly constituency as part of his reporting. However, Booth Level Officer (BLO) Mohammad Ansarul Haque filed an FIR against him, accusing Anjum of entering the polling premises without prior permission and disrupting official work.
According to Haque’s complaint, Anjum allegedly questioned him about the number of Muslim voters and attempted to present a narrative that the Muslim community was being harassed. Haque further claimed that the journalist and his team interrupted the polling work for over an hour, preventing him from completing and uploading the required forms.
The FIR against Anjum includes multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for criminal trespass, disobeying a public servant, obstructing government duties, attempting to incite religious disharmony, and violations under the Representation of the People Act, 1951.
In response, Ajit Anjum denied all allegations, asserting that his actions were well within the rights and responsibilities of a journalist. “As a responsible journalist, I wanted to highlight that the Election Commission’s rules were not being followed properly. At no point did I reveal anyone’s identity or show close-up shots of any forms,” he clarified.
Unfazed by the FIR, Anjum said, “This is an attempt to silence critical voices. Instead of rectifying the irregularities, the authorities chose to target me.”
The incident has sparked concern among media professionals and press freedom advocates, with many viewing the FIR as an attack on journalistic independence and the right to ask questions in a democracy.
