Assam professor arrested for 'criticising' govt policies, gets bail

A professor in Assam, who was arrested for allegedly sending emails to officials criticising the state government’s policies and using “unparliamentary language” against the chief minister and education minister, has been granted bail.

According to a senior police officer, a local court granted bail to the associate professor Jamir Ahmed Choudhury who works at SS college in Hailakandi district.

A suo moto case was registered by the police against the accused based on his emails and he was placed under arrest on Saturday after nearly 18 hours of questioning, the officer said, according to a PTI report.

“The accused moved for bail, which was granted to him late on Saturday evening,” he added.

As per the officer, he had sent out emails to several government officials, including the superintendent of police of Hailakandi, “which was extremely hateful and communal in nature”.

The associate professor is facing allegations of attempting to insult other religious faiths with a purpose of creating a divisive atmosphere, he said.

He is also being accused of impersonating his minor son to criticise government policies, and “used unparliamentary language while referring to the chief minister”, according to the police.

“The email had used slang language and highly objectionable words against authorities of the Assam government, including Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Education Minister Ranoj Pegu. In the email, he criticised the educational system and tried to promote a book written by him, which is based primarily of Islamic faith and virtue,” he said.

The senior officer claimed that it was a “deliberate and malicious intent to outrage the religious feelings and an attempt to insult other religious faith with a purpose of creating divisive atmosphere”.

(With inputs from agencies)