15/07/2025
🔴 Breaking News | JKV Kolkata News
FIR Filed Against Journalist Ajit Anjum in Bihar Over Voter Roll Video; DIGIPUB Slams Move as Press Crackdown
Begusarai, Bihar – July 14, 2025:
Independent journalist and YouTuber Ajit Anjum is facing legal action in Bihar’s Begusarai district after an FIR was registered against him over a YouTube video he published regarding the voter list revision process. The video, part of Anjum’s ground reporting series on the Special Summary Revision (SSR) of electoral rolls in the Sahebpur Kamal Assembly constituency, has been accused by local authorities of spreading misinformation and inciting communal tension.
The FIR was lodged on July 13 at Balia police station, based on a complaint by Booth-Level Officer Mohammad Ansarul Haq, who alleged that Anjum’s video falsely portrayed harassment of Muslim voters during the voter roll revision process. The Begusarai district administration labeled the claims in the video as “baseless” and “misleading,” asserting that the entire exercise was conducted transparently and in strict accordance with Election Commission guidelines.
Ajit Anjum, a veteran journalist formerly associated with News24 and India TV, denied all allegations in a post on X (formerly Twitter). He termed the FIR an attempt to silence his journalism, and accused the administration of coercing the booth-level officer into filing the complaint. “I am still reporting from Begusarai. I challenge the Election Commission to verify my claims. If needed, I will take this battle to the Supreme Court,” Anjum stated.
DIGIPUB News India Foundation, a collective of independent digital media platforms, issued a statement strongly condemning the FIR, calling it an attack on press freedom. They argued that such legal action sets a dangerous precedent and urged authorities to stop targeting journalists who are reporting on critical electoral issues.
The case has sparked a polarizing debate on social media. While some users on X support the FIR, accusing Anjum of promoting a communal narrative, others have slammed the move as an authoritarian attempt to curb free speech.
As the controversy unfolds, the FIR against Ajit Anjum highlights the increasing pressure on independent media in India, and the broader challenges faced by journalists covering sensitive political and electoral matters.
... commission of India
