Kishorechandra Wangkhem
Kishorechandra Wangkhem | |
|---|---|
| Born | 17 March 1979 (age 45)[1] Manipur, India |
| Occupation | Journalist |
| Years active | 2010 - Present |
| Spouse |
Elangbam Ranjita (m. 2011) |
Kishorechandra Wangkhem is an Indian journalist based in the north eastern state of Manipur.[3][4] He is associated with a cable TV network.
Career[edit]
Wangkhem was initially an anchor and a desk-editor in ISTV Network, Imphal. In 2018, Wangkhem was arrested and put in prison for four days for two posts in which he mocked the BJP as a 'Budhu Joker Party' (a party of fools). The same year, National Security Act was invoked against Wangkhem after he posted a video on Facebook and criticized Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.[5] In Meitei language, Wangkhem had severely condemned N. Biren Singh on a video he uploaded on social media in which he called Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, a “puppet of Modi and Hindutva” for organising a function in Manipur to mark the birth anniversary of Lakshmibai, the Rani of Jhansi, who he claimed had “nothing to do with Manipur”.[6] He condemned Biren Singh for attempting to link Lakshmibai to the freedom movement of Manipur and termed the Chief Minister’s comments and the function an “insult to the freedom fighters of Manipur”. Wangkhem had reportedly used foul language against the BJP-led government and the RSS, the ideological fountainhead of the party. He was released from Manipur Central Jail, Sajiwa,in the outskirts of Imphal in April 2019, after spending 133 days in prison.[7][8][9] Later, Wangkhem spent more than three months in prison on charges of sedition, for quoting and commenting on an Instagram war between a wife and an alleged lover of a local minister, Okram Henry Singh (nephew of former Chief Minister of Manipur Okram Ibobi Singh), which went viral in Imphal social media.[7][10]
In May 2021, Wangkhem was arrested for their Facebook post alluding the death of Manipur BJP President Saikhom Tikendra Singh due to COVID-19, saying cow urine and cow dung were no cures for COVID-19.[11] He was also charged under NSA.[12][13] Wangkhem was charged under NSA after getting bail.[14] Another political activist Leichombam Erendro (founder of People's Resurgence and Justice Alliance,[15] a political party whose candidate in 2017 Manipur Legislative Assembly election included rights activist Irom Chanu Sharmila.) was also arrested in this case.[16] Wangkhem's arrest over this issue sparked public outrage.[17][18]
Personal life[edit]
Wanghem is married to Elangbam Ranjita and the couple has two daughters, aged five and one.[19]
See also[edit]
- Erendro Leichombam
References[edit]
- ^ "The Indian journalist jailed for a year for Facebook posts". BBC News. 22 December 2018.
- ^ "Wife of Manipuri journalist held under NSA says will move HC if Centre does not intervene". 19 December 2018.
- ^ "Manipur Journalist, Activist Charged Under Anti-Terror Law NSA For Posts".
- ^ "Manipur scribe, activist arrested for Facebook post". The Hindu. 15 May 2021.
- ^ "In Buddhu Joker land, there's no place for free media".
- ^ "Manipur journalist Kishorechandra Wangkhem in jail under NSA, wife wages a lone battle". 9 February 2019.
- ^ a b "133 days in jail 1st time, Manipur journo arrested again for FB post". The Times of India.
- ^ "Jailed under NSA for Criticizing BJP Govt".
- ^ "Manipur: Jailed Journalist Kishore Chandra Wangkhem Granted Bail".
- ^ "'Every Media House Is Directly Or Indirectly Under The Govt'".
- ^ "Manipur journalist, activist arrested over Facebook posts on BJP leader's death saying cow dung won't cure Covid".
- ^ "2 Arrested In Manipur For Social Media Posts On BJP Leader's Death".
- ^ "Manipur activist, journalist charged under NSA for posts on cow urine after BJP leader dies of Covid".
- ^ "Manipur journalist, activist arrested again under NSA despite bail". 18 May 2021.
- ^ Sirur, Simrin (27 June 2021). "Journalist, activist jailed under NSA for 45 days over cow posts. In Manipur, it's not unusual". Theprint.
- ^ "Explained: The case against Manipur activist Leichombam Erendro, released from jail after SC order". 20 July 2021.
- ^ "Imphal: Journo's Arrest for Speaking About Cow Dung Sparks Outrage". 18 May 2021.
- ^ "2 booked under NSA in Manipur for FB posts that cow dung won't cure Covid-19". 18 May 2021.
- ^ "Life's changed… will fight it out legally, says Manipur journalist Kishorechandra Wangkhem's wife". 8 March 2019.