Bihar Journalists Arrested for Reporting on Floods and Religious Conversions

November 14, 2024 – India –

Two journalists from Bihar—Mithun Mishra and Manish Kashyap—faced arrest and legal retaliation for reporting on flood mismanagement and alleged religious conversions, reflecting growing concerns over press freedom in India’s hinterlands.

In October 2024, Mithun Mishra, a local journalist and YouTuber known for grassroots reporting, was arrested after covering flood-hit regions in the Muzaffarpur district. Mishra had filmed local protests against the government’s inaction in relief distribution and exposed alleged evangelical activities in nearby villages. His live reporting gained traction online, sparking public outrage but also inviting state backlash. Authorities accused him of inciting public disorder, booked him under multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, and detained him for over a month. He was handcuffed during arrest—an act his legal counsel argued violated Supreme Court rulings on the treatment of undertrial prisoners.

Mishra’s arrest drew criticism from civil rights groups and press advocates, who called it an attack on independent journalism. On November 12, 2024, he was granted bail and released. Speaking to local media afterward, he stated that his reporting was aimed at bringing attention to neglected flood victims and that he would continue exposing corruption and forced conversions. He described his arrest as politically motivated, designed to suppress reporting on uncomfortable truths.

Similarly, Manish Kashyap, another independent journalist from Muzaffarpur, was arrested around the same time for exposing alleged Christian missionary activities. Authorities accused him of spreading communal tension, though supporters claim he was targeted for highlighting controversial ground realities. He was also granted bail, but both arrests sent a chilling message to reporters working in high-tension zones.

These incidents are part of a broader pattern of suppressing critical journalism, especially on issues tied to governance failures or religious sensitivity. With India ranked 162nd on RSF’s 2024 Press Freedom Index, the cases of Mishra and Kashyap underscore the growing dangers for journalists operating in politically charged local environments. Press freedom groups continue to demand structural reforms, judicial restraint, and stronger protections to ensure that reporters can work without fear of arbitrary arrest or harassment for doing their jobs.

Reference – 

Journalist Mithun Mishra, jailed after he exposed evangelical activities in Bihar, out on bail

https://www.opindia.com/2024/11/journalist-mithun-mishra-released-on-bail-a-month-after-arrest-over-reporting-bihar-floods/