The Union Ministry of Home Affairs said on Friday that it had not asked the Assam government to conduct any inquiry against some editors in the State who have opposed the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016, terming the information as “absolutely baseless” and “mischievous”.

In a statement, the Ministry said that it had been reported in a section of media that the MHA had asked the Assam government to take action against some editors opposed to the Bill.

‘Baseless, mischievous’

“This is absolutely baseless and a mischievous interpretation of facts. This is to clarify that the Union Home Ministry has not asked the government of Assam to initiate any probe against any editor or member of the press/media,” it said.

“The factual position is that one Vinay Joshi, of Ratnagiri, Maharashtra, sent a petition to the Home Ministry on the Centralised Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS) on February 14, 2019, related to the issue of the Bill stating that it has been exploited by different militant groups like ULFA and the media has propagated militant ideology to give fresh boost to the militant groups,” the statement said.

“Following the standard practice, the petition was routinely forwarded to the government of Assam. No inquiry has been ordered... no report has been called from the government of Assam,” the statement said. It is “mischievous” to suggest that the Centre has asked the Assam government to initiate action, it added.