A day after securing his release from the Parapanna Agrahara central jail, journalist Muthi Ur Rehman,who was arrested on serious charges such as ‘waging war against the nation’, hit out against the investigation agencies and media for its attitude towards ‘Muslims.’
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday afternoon, Muthi Ur Rehman,who spent six months languishing in the city central jail said, “The way we were arrested and the way we were treated shows there is a need for ‘sensitising the investigating agencies’ towards minorities such as Muslims.”
“It goes to show that there is no fairness in the way minorities such as Muslims, the poor and the powerless are treated by the police. Even the way the media acted soon after the arrest reflects this bias,” added Mr Siddique.
Further referring to several Muslim languishing in jails across the country, he said, “This whole issue is not just about me, but it's about hundreds of Muslims languishing in jails across the country. I was fortunate that in my case justice was done, even though it was delayed.” He also said that media should consider the other ‘accused innocent till the court finds them guilty.’ “I was branded the mastermind, if I am free of all charges, the other should also be let off,” he stated.
The 26 year old journalist, who was working with a daily newspaper also hit out against the media for failing to report accurately. “In this case, even media forgot the ABC(Accuracy, Brevity and Clarity) of journalism. Since we were qualified Muslims such as doctors, engineers etc..the media got carried away. However, I am happy now at least some sense has prevailed,” he said.
Replying to a specific question, why were the fifteen accused arrested in the first place, Muthi Ur said, “I think and I say this as a theory and not as a fact. I think it was an effort to polarize the community [Muslim].” Further he added, “I think had I nott been a Muslim, I would never have been arrested in the first place. And if I had been arrested, I would have been let off much earlier.”
Terming the jail as a ‘horrible place,’ Muthi Ur Rehman Siddique said that that he was hopeful of continuing his job as a journalist, which is his passion and would like to soon get back to it.