Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on June 28, 2025, Saturday, extended an apology on behalf of his government and cabinet minister Jayanta Malla Baruah after the latter's derogatory remarks towards a journalist triggered widespread protests across the state.

The incident occurred during a press conference on June 27, 2025, Friday, when Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah declined to respond to a reporter’s question. Instead, he made a disparaging remark, suggesting he would only speak to the owner of the television channel and not to what he allegedly referred to as “low-class” individuals.

The reporter belonged Pratidin Time- a popular satellite news channel of the state that had recently run critical reports on alleged irregularities in a government-backed dairy scheme, including the procurement of Gir cows from a firm reportedly linked to the minister’s wife.

Reacting to the controversy, Chief Minister Sarma stated that if the minister had indeed made such a comment, he ought to offer an apology.

The Chief Minister added that he would personally advise minister Jayanta Malla Baruah to do so. He also expressed regret over the situation, even though he said he had not heard the exact remarks made.

Protests erupted across Assam in response to the Jayanta Malla Baruah’s comment.

Journalists in Guwahati, under the leadership of the Gauhati Press Club, staged a demonstration wearing black badges and raising slogans condemning the remarks.

Similar protests were organised in Sivasagar, Samaguri, Dibrugarh, and other locations, with media professionals demanding respect and accountability from public representatives.

Attempting to defuse tensions, Sarma described the minister’s outburst as possibly a slip of the tongue and emphasised that Baruah came from a modest background.

He suggested that such an incident should not define the minister’s character.

The Chief Minister also addressed broader concerns, pointing out the need to differentiate between media owners and working journalists.

He remarked that criticism aimed at media proprietors should not be interpreted as attacks on the journalist community at large.

Sarma highlighted the financial vulnerability of rural journalists, noting that many are paid as little as ?100 per story and often lack basic security such as housing or medical support.

He said that struggling journalists frequently approach him for assistance and expressed frustration over media houses failing to ensure fair compensation.

He argued that journalists ought to earn at least Rs 10 lakh annually and called for industry-wide reforms to guarantee minimum wages and structured work hours.

The Chief Minister concluded by stressing the need for systemic change within the media sector to ensure dignity, security, and proper recognition for journalists.

The media fraternity, meanwhile, continues to press for a direct apology from the minister and concrete safeguards against further misconduct.

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