Port Blair, Feb. 5: Prakash Minj, General Secretary, Ranchi Association of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, accompanied by the association’s President and supporters, filed a complaint against Sudhir Chaudhary, the host of Aaj Tak’s prime-time show ‘Black and White,’ at Aberdeen Police Station on Saturday. The complaint alleges that Chaudhary’s remarks on Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, are part of a conspiracy and have led to his resignation.
The FIR has been registered under the SC-ST Atrocity Act, with Mr. Minj expressing concern over the arrest of the Chief Minister by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). Mr. Minj contends that the land scam in question is a state issue, and the arrest of a tribal CM is unacceptable. He stated, “The matter does not end at the wrong arrest of a tribal Chief Minister; it continues with the irresponsible behavior by the media in maligning and tarnishing the tribal communities.”
Mr. Minj further highlighted the specific remarks made by Sudhir Chaudhary on his show. According to him, Chaudhary asked another participant, Chitra Tripathi, about how the Chief Minister would spend his night in custody. Chaudhary reportedly commented that the CM would spend the night similar to how tribals spent their nights in the jungle in earlier days. Mr. Minj condemned these remarks as not only insulting but also demeaning, particularly in a country where the President is a tribal himself.
Expressing his disappointment, Mr. Minj emphasized the need for responsible journalism, stating, “It is a matter of great sadness that such words are used in the state whose honorable President is also a tribal.” The Secretary also mentioned that the SHO of Aberdeen Police Station has assured all possible support in the registration of the FIR.
The incident adds fuel to the ongoing debate on media responsibility and its potential impact on social harmony, with many calling for a thorough investigation into the alleged conspiracy against the Chief Minister and accountability for the inflammatory remarks made on national television.
