BJP MLA lists Muslim journalists for reporting bias against Muslim voters
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Shalabh Mani Tripathi, a BJP MLA from Uttar Pradesh and former media advisor to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, has again drawn attention by circulating a list of Muslim journalists and accusing them of spreading falsehoods, The Wire reported.
The by-elections, held for nine assembly seats in Uttar Pradesh, have been marred by allegations of police misconduct and discrimination against Muslims, including preventing them from casting their votes, conducting arbitrary voter identity checks, and imposing barricades in Muslim-majority areas.
In response, the Election Commission (EC) suspended five police personnel and directed local officers to ensure fair and unbiased polling.
Despite these actions, Tripathi turned his focus to journalists covering the elections. Using a social media post, he claimed that reporters from prominent media outlets, including NDTV, ABP News, PTI Video, and Dainik Bhaskar, were involved in spreading misinformation.
His post also listed over 100 YouTubers allegedly from the Muslim community, accusing them of working in a coordinated manner to propagate false narratives. However, no evidence or examples of misinformation were provided to substantiate his claims.
Tripathi’s list sparked controversy as it highlighted journalists belonging to specific media houses and communities. Many of the journalists named are associated with well-established organisations such as Amar Ujala, Dainik Jagran, News18, and TV9. Observers noted that the allegations coincided with the EC’s efforts to address voter suppression complaints, particularly in constituencies like Moradabad, which has a significant Muslim population.
In Moradabad’s Kundarki constituency, where a Samajwadi Party (SP) candidate from the Muslim community is contesting, complaints of voter obstruction and barricades were reported. Local authorities acknowledged the issues, and actions were taken against erring police personnel, including the removal of three officers from duty. The EC reiterated its commitment to ensuring free and fair elections across all constituencies.
Tripathi’s actions reflect a pattern of communal targeting, as similar incidents have occurred in the past. During the Bahraich violence in October, he circulated a list of Muslim journalists, questioning their coverage of the event and implying bias. His posts then, as now, lacked concrete evidence to support the allegations.
Tripathi, who transitioned from a career in journalism to politics, has often been criticised for using social media to post divisive content. Critics argue that such actions undermine the credibility of journalists and detract from the larger issues of voter suppression and police misconduct during elections. The MLA’s repeated targeting of Muslim journalists has drawn condemnation from several quarters, raising concerns about the role of political leaders in fostering communal harmony.