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Nava Thakuria

Guwahati: Journalists’ Forum Assam (JFA) expresses dismay over ‘on camera physical assaults’ on three television scribes by a group of individuals in West Bengal and demands a fair probe to nab the culprits as early as possible. The scribes namely Hridita, Pinki and Bhaskar, associated with Republic Bangla news channel, were assaulted on the campus of Jadavpur University on 13 March 2025. They faced intimidation and physical assaults while covering events at the prestigious higher educational institute. The news channels have telecast some of the visuals where it is seen that the reporters were pushed by some employees and students.

Arnab Goswami, the chief editor of Republic TV Network, strongly condemned the hooliganism claiming that ‘male students assaulted female Republic Bangla reporters inside the campus’. Hridita and Pinki were simply reporting when they were confronted, physically assaulted, and then illegally detained by the Jadavpur University registrar in his office, but despite this, there was no police protection, asserted Goswami, adding that some employees in the registrar’s office even asked the reporters to delete the footage.

Mentionable is that Jadavpur University continued attracting media attention for an unruly situation in the last few months. The Republic Bangla reporters went to the university authority with queries as to why so much anti-national graffiti was displayed on the campus walls. They also questioned if the pioneer university had turned into a den of some groups aligned with the ruling Trinamool Congress party, where no press persons can enter the campus.

“No journalist, on duty hours, should be harassed and physically assaulted. The concerned authority and Bengal government chief Mamata Banerjee must take it as their call and investigate the entire episode. The perpetrators need to be identified and punished under the law,” said JFA resident Rupam Baruah and secretary Nava Thakuria, adding that any institution should not be converted into a private campus with no access to reporters as it’s been observed in Jadavpur University for many years now.

Location: Barpeta Satra (Assam), India

Overview of the Festival

The Barpeta Satra Holi (Doul Utsav), celebrated with grandeur in Assam, is a remarkable manifestation of India’s rich and diverse cultural fabric. Rooted in the Vaishnavite traditions established by Srimanta Sankardeva and his disciple Madhavdeva, this festival at Barpeta Satra showcases how regional variations of Holi in India are deeply interconnected through shared spiritual and cultural themes.

Unlike the boisterous colour-splashing commonly associated with Holi at present, the celebration at Barpeta Satra is marked by devotional fervour, with “Doul Utsav” playing a central role. The three to five day festivities include Kirtans, Naam-prasang (devotional singing), traditional dance performances and the ceremonial procession of Lord Krishna’s idol (Doul Govinda Gosain and Kaliya Gosain) , reflecting the Bhakti movement’s profound influence in Assam. This aligns closely with Holi’s broader symbolism across India, where it is not just a festival of colours but as a Maitry Utsava (friendship, companionship). All the different the expressions like celebration of divine love (Radha-Krishna in Braj), Prahlad’s devotion, Victory of devotion over arrogance and evil, victory of love and devotion over conflict etc. leads to the state of beatitude i.e. Parama Āhlāda. The festivities in these days also includes the legend that revolve around Krishna and his two wives, Lakshmi and Ghunucha. In the Barpeta Satra, the emphasis on spirituality, harmony and devotion underscores the pan-Indian essence of Holi, where diverse regions express the same cultural and spiritual ethos in different ways i.e. Rangpanchami (Maharastra),

lathmar (Uttar Pradesh), Yaosang (Manipur), Rang Panchamai (Maharastra) Phaguwa (Bihar),Hola Mohalla(Panjab).The festival also bridges Assam’s cultural heritage with the rest of India by upholding the same spirit of unity, joy and devotion, demonstrating how regional traditions are not isolated but rather part of an unbroken cultural continuum. This makes the Doul Utsav an integral part of India’s larger cultural mosaic, showing how Assam’s unique practices contribute to the country’s collective heritage while maintaining their distinct identity.

In nature, we see how each Ritu, shifts the world around us. There are moments when we must release our arrogance, negative attitudes towards someone, towards life and society, just as trees shed their leaves. A new beginning is not only about what happens outside us. It is also about what happens within. When we embrace these changes, we grow mentally and emotionally. Just as the earth renews itself each season, we too can start anew at any time, embracing mental and spiritual growth that guides us toward achieving purusartha.