The case against them stems from a video posted on their X (formerly Twitter) account, in which a man, who was a farmer, allegedly made derogatory remarks about the Telangana Chief Minister. The complaint, filed by the chief of the Congress’ state social media unit, alleged that the video was intended to incite unrest and was part of a deliberate attempt by Pulse News to defame the CM. The police claimed that the video was shot at the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) headquarters and suspected a political conspiracy behind its release. A third individual, the user of an X account named “NippuKodi”, is also under police scrutiny and detention.

Despite the court rejecting the organised crime charge, it upheld other provisions under the Information Technology Act and the BNS related to creating and circulating false information. However, the manner in which the Telangana Police acted—conducting pre-dawn raids and arresting the journalists in a way that reeks of political vendetta—has drawn sharp criticism from various quarters.

Arrest under questionable circumstances

The Telangana Police’s handling of this case has raised serious concerns about the misuse of power. Revathi was arrested from her home at 5 AM on March 12, a move reminiscent of the authoritarian crackdowns of the Emergency era. In a video posted before her arrest, she warned, “Cops at my doorstep! They want to arrest me. They may pick me up and take me. One thing is clear: Revanth Reddy wants to put pressure on me and my family and threaten me.”

DON’T SHARE THIS VIDEO PLEASE!!!
CASES WILL BE FILED

Here is a video of my team @pulsenewsbreak speaking to an old man.
He expresses his frustration about various issues, in his own language.

NOW! The Telangana Congress is busy filing cases and Telangana police are… pic.twitter.com/gQYWhmseG5

— Revathi (@revathitweets) March 11, 2025

According to the police, the arrests were justified because the journalists’ conduct was highly provocative and could have disturbed law and order. The public prosecutor opposed their bail, arguing that the police required more time for investigation. However, Jakkula Ramesh, the lawyer representing Revathi and Thanvi, dismissed the allegations, claiming that the police had acted under political pressure. He pointed out that none of the other charges carried a punishment exceeding seven years, making the immediate arrests unwarranted and disproportionate. The court appeared to agree, striking down Section 111, ruling that it was unjustified at this stage.

Revanth Reddy’s threats against criticism and the press

What makes this case even more troubling is the response from Chief Minister Revanth Reddy himself. Days after the arrests, he lashed out at social media criticism in the Assembly, warning that strict action would be taken against those engaging in “defamatory propaganda under the guise of journalism.” He went even further, making an openly threatening remark, stating that those who crossed the line would be stripped and paraded.

His words reveal a deep hostility towards independent journalism and suggest that his government is willing to weaponise the law to silence critics. As per Hindustan Times, CM Reddy stated: “We will respond to such criminals as required. If they hide behind a facade, that veil will be removed, and they will be exposed. Don’t create a spectacle. I am also a human being… We will act strictly according to the law and will not exceed any limits.”

Such statements, coming from a sitting Chief Minister, indicate a dangerous shift towards authoritarianism, where journalists who criticise the government risk being treated as criminals.

Widespread condemnation of the arrests

The arrests have provoked a massive backlash, particularly from the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), which accused the Congress government of being intolerant of dissent. K.T. Rama Rao, former minister and senior BRS leader, compared the situation to the Emergency, calling the arrests a “blatant attack on press freedom”. In a post on X, he wrote:

“It feels like a state of Emergency has returned in Telangana… Is this the democracy you talk about, Rahul Gandhi? Arresting two women journalists in the wee hours of the morning! What is their crime? Giving voice to public opinion on the incompetent and corrupt Congress government?”

In the “Mohabbat Ki Dukaan” land where @RahulGandhi Ji’s nominated CM himself is the Abuser in Chief !! https://t.co/KpNtiSBs8L

— KTR (@KTRBRS) March 16, 2025

Other BRS leaders, including T Harish Rao and Kalvakuntla Kavitha, also condemned the Telangana government’s actions. Harish Rao questioned whether Telangana was turning into a dictatorship, stating, “Revanth Reddy’s government responds to questions with arrests.”

Beyond political figures, civil society groups and journalist organisations have also condemned the arrests. The Editors Guild of India (EGI) issued a strongly worded statement, criticising the police’s pre-dawn operation and calling it a serious attack on press freedom. Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal, a former Congress leader, also denounced the move, saying:

“Arrest is not the solution. It is the result of a contagious disease called intolerance.”

Telangana

Arrests two journalists for criticising CM for spreading falsehood inciting divisions to disturb law and order

Really ?

Arrest is not the solution

It is the result of a contagious disease called :

Intolerance !

— Kapil Sibal (@KapilSibal) March 13, 2025

Police seizures and allegations of misconduct

Adding to concerns about police excesses, the Hyderabad Police raided the Pulse News office in Madhapur, seizing:

• Two laptops
• Two hard disks
• Seven CPUs
• Other digital equipment

Revathi’s lawyer alleged that the police misbehaved with the two journalists and that the judge had taken note of these police excesses. Such actions suggest that the police were not merely conducting an investigation but sending a message—a warning to other journalists to fall in line or face similar treatment.

Congress’ hypocrisy on press freedom

The Telangana Congress, which has long positioned itself as a defender of democracy and free speech, has now exposed its own hypocrisy. The same party that has often accused the BJP of suppressing journalists is now following the same playbook—using state power to silence criticism.

Congress leaders have tried to defend the police, claiming that the journalists had links with the BRS and had been spreading propaganda against the government for the past two months. However, this justification falls flat in the face of the arbitrary nature of the arrests, the timing before the Assembly session, and the pre-dawn raids—all hallmarks of a politically motivated crackdown.

Conclusion: A dangerous precedent being set in Telangana

The arrest of Revathi and Thanvi Yadav is not an isolated case; it is a frightening signal of what may become a pattern of repression under the Revanth Reddy-led Telangana government. By allowing the police to act in such a brazenly authoritarian manner, the Congress government has shown that it is willing to undermine press freedom to protect its own image.

This incident sets a dangerous precedent. If journalists can be arrested simply for sharing an opinion or amplifying public grievances, then no critical media outlet is safe. The Telangana government must be held accountable for this unjustifiable attack on press freedom, and civil society must push back against this increasingly repressive environment.

If this trend continues, Telangana risks becoming another state where journalists must operate under fear, where the government dictates what can and cannot be said, and where the basic tenets of democracy are trampled in the name of political survival.

Related:

Delhi High Court’s takedown order against Shyam Meera Singh’s video on Isha Foundation raises free speech concerns

The murder of Raghvendra Bajpai: A chilling reminder of the dangers faced by journalists in India

SC’s denial of bail to journalist Rupesh Singh once again showcases how the Court looks at bail under UAPA, with varying consistency

Indian Newspaper Day: Journalists’ Groups Demand Independent Media Commission

Baster Journalist killing: UNESCO condemned the killing of Mukesh Chandrakar 

The post Telangana journalists granted bail after court strikes down ‘Organised Crime’ charge appeared first on SabrangIndia.

BJP’s political vendetta against Vikatan

Reports indicate that BJP leaders in Tamil Nadu were incensed by the cartoon, which they viewed as an affront to Modi’s image. The illustration mocked Modi’s election strategy and his alignment with Trump’s brand of right-wing populism, implying that Modi was constrained in his dealings with the United States. Rather than countering criticism through debate, BJP members allegedly pressured authorities to act against the publication. This follows a well-documented pattern where media outlets, journalists, and activists critical of the ruling party are subjected to intimidation, legal harassment, and outright suppression. Many have argued that the BJP is using state machinery to muzzle dissent, reinforcing India’s drift towards authoritarianism under Modi’s leadership.

The shadowy mechanisms of censorship

What makes the Vikatan episode particularly concerning is the sheer opacity surrounding the takedown. There has been no official court order, no government notification, and no clear legal basis for the restriction. Instead, it appears that the government has resorted to vague, extra-legal means—perhaps through arbitrary applications of the Information Technology Act, 2000—to justify its actions of blocking the website. The lack of transparency raises troubling questions about whether the state is deliberately avoiding legal scrutiny by bypassing due process. This incident sets a precedent where any dissenting media outlet could be silenced overnight, with no accountability from the authorities.

In response to the arbitrary censorship, Vikatan has strongly condemned the government’s actions, calling them “an unprecedented attack on press freedom.” The publication released a statement asserting that it had merely exercised its journalistic duty to critique those in power and that such intimidation tactics would not deter it from reporting the truth. “Democracy thrives on dialogue and dissent. Silencing independent voices is a dangerous precedent that threatens the very foundations of free speech,” the statement read. Vikatan further demanded a formal explanation for the takedown and vowed to pursue legal remedies if necessary. The publication also received widespread solidarity from journalists, media watchdogs, and press organisations, all of whom view this as a blatant attempt to curb independent reporting.

T Murugan, the editor of the magazine, defended the cartoon as a legitimate form of criticism and a symbol of democratic dissent, stating that the magazine will not surrender its freedom in the face of such threats and intimidation. He clarified that there was no official directive to block the website, describing the action as unofficial. According to Murugan, the magazine’s management believes that service providers like Airtel and Jio were likely pressured into restricting access to the site, which was blocked around 7 pm on Saturday. He also noted that the magazine, which has championed free speech for nearly a century, is currently seeking clarification from the Union government regarding the reasons for the restriction. 

Political leaders condemn the move

Opposition leaders, press freedom advocates, and civil society groups have strongly condemned the censorship of Vikatan. Congress MP Rahul Gandhi criticised the action as “yet another desperate attempt by the Modi government to suppress dissenting voices,” emphasising that “the BJP is dismantling democracy piece by piece.” DMK leader and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin called the move “a brazen assault on press freedom,” highlighting that “Vikatan’s fearless journalism has always been a voice of the people—silencing it is an attack on democratic values.”

Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), a prominent political party in Tamil Nadu, described the government’s action as a “fascist tendency” that reveals an intolerance toward legitimate criticism. Journalists’ collectives including the Chennai Press Club and civil rights organisations have also decried the move, warning that it represents a dangerous precedent where political pressure can dictate government censorship of the media. Ram further emphasised the unprecedented nature of the digital blockade: “This is not a simple blocking move. By degrading and preventing access to digital news content through non-transparent ‘dirty tricks’ technical manoeuvres, it subverts media freedom and reader’s right to information. This arbitrary action, utterly devoid of legality, has wide implications for the media sector.”

Ram added that on February 16, after technical censorship had been set in motion and the damage had been done, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting sent a notice to the Vikatan group.

As per the information provided by Ram, the said notice states that the ministry had “received a request for blocking of certain content” published at a website affiliated with Vikatan; that a “meeting of the Inter-Departmental Committee constituted under the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021” was scheduled for February 17; and that Vikatan could “appear and submit its comments/clarifications, if any, before the Committee.”

Ram commented that it was a case of “Sentence first, verdict afterwards” – a reference to the impatient declaration by the Queen of Hearts in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.

Even former BJP ally and AIADMK leader O. Panneerselvam distanced himself from the censorship, stating that “freedom of the press is non-negotiable, and actions like these only strengthen the perception that the BJP is intolerant of criticism.” Despite this outcry, the central government has refused to issue a statement, reinforcing suspicions that it orchestrated the takedown but wants to avoid public accountability.

A history of suppression: Vikatan and beyond

This is not the first time Vikatan has faced political retribution for its reporting. In 1987, the magazine’s editor was arrested for publishing material critical of the government, reflecting a long history of state-driven intimidation against independent media. However, under the Modi government, such suppression has escalated to an unprecedented level. Independent journalists have been arrested, digital media platforms have been raided, and news organisations critical of the BJP have faced financial and legal crackdowns. The broader trend is clear: press freedom in India is under siege.

The implications for Indian media

Vikatan’s ordeal is a warning to all media houses in India: no outlet is safe from government retaliation. The chilling effect is already evident, with many journalists and editors choosing self-censorship over the risk of shutdowns, arrests, or financial ruin. If this trajectory continues unchecked, India’s press will be reduced to little more than a government mouthpiece. The international community has already noted this decline—India has plummeted in global press freedom rankings, with watchdog organisations repeatedly raising concerns over the state’s hostility toward independent journalism.

The Vikatan controversy serves as a litmus test for India’s democratic resilience. Press organisations, journalists, and civil society must push back forcefully, demanding explanations and legal clarity from the government. The Editors Guild of India, Reporters without Borders, and other advocacy groups have decried the censorship, but strong words alone will not suffice. If this case fades into silence, it will embolden the government to act with even greater impunity in the future.

The question remains: Will India’s media fraternity and civil society take a stand, or will silence become the new normal?

Related:

EXCLUSIVE: Three independent Tamil channels win battle against censorship by MeitY-YouTube after 6 months of a gritty battle

2023 Amendment to Broadcasting Rules are clear case of censorship nothing less: Justice GS Patel, Bombay HC

Gateway to Censorship: caution and concern over the proposed Broadcasting Bill, 2023

In a global storm of censorship, Hindus for Human Rights, IAMC and journalists accounts have been suspended

The post Targeting Press Freedom: The unexplained censorship of Vikatan and the erosion of free speech appeared first on SabrangIndia.

The DUJ has, in a statement issued today, condemned the tendency among government authorities to hide their acts of omission and commission from the gaze of the media and the public, instead of acknowledging their role in such tragic events. After the fatal stampedes at the Kumbh, the Railway authorities should have been prepared for crowd management at all stations. Transparency and better governance is the need of the hour, not desperate attempts at covering up tragic mistakes by intimidating journalists who try to report the truth. The statement has been issued by SK Pande, President, NAJ, Sujata Madhok, President, DUJ and AM Jigeesh, general secretary, DUJ.

Related:

NAJ, DUJ, APWJF Welcome Bail to Journalists

Delhi: Protest meeting on journalists rights and democratic rights

Stop treating journalists like terrorists, media unions tell government as the 17th Lok Sabha begins

The post Stop covering up tragedies, say NAJ-DUJ to govt appeared first on SabrangIndia.

On Friday, the Supreme Court’s division bench, comprising Justices Hrishikesh Roy and S.V.N. Bhatti, while hearing the quashing petition moved by Upadhyay (Abhishek Upadhyay v. The State of UP & Anr. [WP (Crl.) No. 402 of 2024] against the said FIR, observed that journalists’ rights are protected under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution, and criticism of the government should not lead to criminal cases against the writer.

Background of the case

On the complaint of another freelance journalist, Pankaj Kumar, referred to Yogi as “Maharaj” in his complaint, a FIR against Abhishek Upadhyay (Lucknow-based freelance journalist) and Mamata Tripathy was filed in Lucknow’s Hazratganj police station for their post on X, questioning the rise of “Thakur Raj” in Uttar Pradesh under the regime of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, listing appointment of 40 top state government officials who purportedly belong to the Thakur community and questions the alleged appointments were being made on the basis of caste.

Following the same article, an FIR No. 265 of 2024 came to be registered against Abhishek Upadhayay at the Hazratganj Police Station under the provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS) sections 353 (2) (statements conducing to public mischief), 197(1)(C) (publishing imputations or assertions prejudicial to national integration), 356(2) (punishment for defamation) and 302 (uttering words etc. with deliberate intention to wound religious feelings of a person) and under Section 66 of the Information Technology (IT) Act, 2000.

Against the said FIR and apprehending the potential police arrest and action, Upadhyay approached the Supreme Court for quashing of the FIR.

Journalists can’t be booked for criticising govt: SC

Abhishek Upadhyay in his plea before the Supreme Court, sought quashing of the FIR registered by the Hazratganj Police Station as well as other FIR’s that may have been filed at other places.

On behalf of the Petitioner, Advocate Anoop Prakash Awasthi informed the bench that his piece became a topic of discussion after former Chief Minister and present Leader of Opposition Akhilesh Yadav hailed it in a post on ‘X’.

According to Live Law, Upadhyay started receiving threats online as his post sparked discussions on X. Upadhyay against the threat, wrote an email to the UP Police’s acting DGP and posted the same on his ‘X’ handle. The official handle of the UP Police replied to him on ‘X’ stating: “You are hereby cautioned and informed not to spread rumours or misinformation. Such unlawful activities, which lead to confusion and instability in society, could result in legal action being taken against you.”

The division bench of Supreme Court while underscoring the right to Freedom of Criticism, pointed out that in democratic nations, freedom of expression must be respected as journalists are protected under Article 19(1)(a) of the Indian Constitution.

The bench emphasized that “in democratic nations, freedom to express one’s views are respected. The rights of the journalists are protected under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution of India. Merely because writings of a journalist are perceived as criticism of the Government, criminal cases should not be slapped against the writer.” (Para 5)

While granting protection to the Upadhayay, the bench issued notice to the UP government on the pleas filed by the petitioner. The bench also directed that “in the meantime, coercive steps should not be taken against the petitioner in connection with the subject Article” (Para 8)

The order of the Supreme Court may be read here:

As per a report in Newslaundry, Upadhyay while reacting to the FIR lodged against him, said that the FIR was an attempt to “scare journalists from asking questions and doing such stories”. “We raised such questions against every government, but only under this regime are we silenced.”

The bench posted the matter on November 5, 2024 for next hearing.

Related:

‘Vicious cycle’ against Mohammed Zubair: SC

Allahabad HC refuses to quash FIR against Alt News Founder Mohammed Zubair

Mohammed Zubair seeks urgent hearing before SC on his plea against FIRs

The post Supreme Court grants interim protection from arrest to UP journalist appeared first on SabrangIndia.

The issues relating to press freedom, censorship, and internet shutdown continues to gather heat in the current session of the parliament, which began on July 22, as the Central Government was corned over the issues relating to personal liberty and freedom of speech. The Union Government provided deflective responses to the series of unstarred questions posed by the members of the parliament (MPs) in the ongoing session of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. Even outside the parliament the issue of press freedom came to fore as the members of the press protested on Monday over media curbs imposed on the entry of journalists in the premises of the new parliament building. As per the Press Club of India, curbs were put on the movement of journalists in the premises of the parliament to prevent them from speaking with the legislators and they were also cleared from the Parliament’s Makar Dwar entrance area, Scroll reported.

Digital Censorship

The Congress Rajya Sabha MP from Madhya Pradesh, Vivek Tankha, posed the question to the Union Government, asking the latter to disclose the number of Youtube channels blocked by it in the last 5 years. In response to this, the Union avoided the question altogether and said that “The Central Government issues directions under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000 in the interest of the sovereignty or integrity of India, defence of India, security of the State, friendly relations with foreign States or public order or for preventing incitement to the commission of any cognizable offence relating to above in respect of the information on a computer resource.”

Tankha also asked whether due to the Government’s direction to disclose details, WhatsApp is  planning to shut its services in the Country? In its reply, the Minister for Information and Broadcasting, and Electronics and Information Technology, Ashwini Vaishnaw, said that “MeitY has shared that WhatsApp or Meta has not informed the Government about any such plans.”

Internet Shutdowns

The YSRCP Lok Sabha MP, P V Midhun Reddy, raised another interesting query to know “whether the Government has taken any steps to provide rules to selectively restrict the use of certain services instead of banning the internet as a whole to ensure minimum inconvenience to the general public and meet the objectives such as curbing misinformation”. Again, a misguided answer was put forth by the Union Government, as it merely stated that state and central governments have the powers under the Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services (Public Emergency or Public Safety) Rules, 2017 to issue orders temporarily banning the internet services, and “In temporary suspensions of internet services in a region, only internet services are suspended temporarily, and other communication services like voice calling and Short Message Service (SMS) remain available during the suspension period of internet services, through which people in the region can communicate and access emergency communication services.” While the question was addressed with regard to internet suspension per se, the evasive reply by the Minister of Communications, Jyotiraditya Scindia, instead focused on non-internet-based communication channels, namely, SMS and voice calls, without answering the primary query raised by Reddy.

Press Freedom

On the issue of declining press freedom, the INC Lok Sabha MP from Kanniyakumari, Vijayakumar, quizzed the Central Government on India’s low ranking in the press freedom index 2024, and asked what actions have been taken by the Government to resolve the issue. He also wondered if the government was aware that the country is ranked 159 out of the 180 nations considered in the 2024 edition of the press freedom index? The government readily dismissed the concerns about deteriorating conditions for freedom of speech and expression, and replied that it is “committed” to ensure the rights of freedom and liberty as enshrined under the Article 19 of the Constitution of India. It countered the claim saying that “during the last 10 years from 2014-15 till date, the number of registered periodicals has gone up 43.9% from 1,05,443 to 1,51,734. Similarly, the number of private satellite TV channels has also significantly gone up during this period from 821 to 910 which includes 393 news channels.” In its response, Ashwini Vaishnav also said that the Ministry of Home Affairs had released an advisory specifically concerning the safety of journalists and the same was sent to all States/UTs on October 20, 2017, asking the latter to “strictly enforce the laws to ensure the safety and security of the media persons.”

Furthermore, the Government questioned the intention of the agencies reporting on the press freedom and remarked that “Some organizations have attempted evaluation of press freedom using very low sample size and with little or no understanding of our country and its vibrant democracy. Such organizations and their methodology are questionable and not reliable.”

Related:

Editors’ Guild of India warns of rising threats to journalists under new criminal laws in letter addressed to Home Minister Amit Shah | SabrangIndia

Editors’ Guild urges government to remove COVID-19 era restrictions on journalists covering parliamentary proceedings | SabrangIndia

Surveillance and Freedom of Press – A call to public action

The post Central Government silent over the number of YouTube channels blocked in last 5 years; dismisses concern about press freedom and internet shutdowns appeared first on SabrangIndia.

The letter states “Over the years and under successive governments, many provisions under the criminal code, the so-called offensive speech laws in IPC- sections 153A and B, 295A, 298, 502, and 505, have been liberally used to file FIRs against journalists whose reporting has been critical of governing establishment. This has been done by governments across states and party lines.”

It further said that “In some cases, journalists have been imprisoned for long durations, as the cases have moved at a snail’s pace in courts, and in others, while there may not have been an arrest, yet the process of defending against frivolous complaints has itself become a punishment.”

The letter further points to the various amendments and laws that have been introduced between the year 2019 to 2023, through which the Modi-led government has enacted several laws that significantly broaden the scope of criminal regulations and expanded police powers of arrest, thereby further restricting civil liberties. The letter specifically cites amendments to the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002, the Foreign Contributions (Regulation) Act, 2010, and the introduction of the Criminal Procedure Identification Act, 2022, as examples of laws that are being used to target journalists critical of the government.

The letter points out that these laws have been exploited to harass and intimidate journalists, creating a chilling effect on press freedom. The organisation has called for a more rigorous review process before filing FIRs against journalists. They propose that any complaint against media professionals be reviewed by a high-ranking police officer and brought to the attention of the Press Council of India.

Calling for journalistic exception, the letter provides that “We also are of the opinion that given the precedent in the manner in which criminal laws have been used as tools of harassment and intimidation against journalists, with a potential of setting a chilling effect, there is a legitimate case for a journalistic exception in the registration of FIRs. Far too often we have seen that process is the punishment and that there is a case for protecting members of the press/media from frivolous criminal complaints and indiscriminate state/police action in relation to acts done in the course of their duty. And we re-iterate, this has been the case under governments across party lines. Therefore, we strongly feel that before a criminal complaint is registered as an FIR against a journalist, with a reference to a journalistic work done by them, there be an additional and thorough layer of review.”

Furthermore, the letter underscores a need for holding a deep consultation with the journalists as well as formulation of some set of guidelines for regulating prosecutions against members of the press/media for actions in the course of their duty. Till then, a mechanism has also been proposed by the EGI whereby any such complaint against a member of press is reviewed by a high-ranking Police Officer, and that it is brought to the knowledge of Press Council of India, for an opinion on whether further investigation of the complaint/information would be an unreasonable burden on the freedom of profession and freedom of expression of the alleged offender as a member of the press. According to the letter, such set of guidelines can go a long way in preventing the misuse of these laws against journalistic activities.

The letter includes an Annexure on specific provisions of laws under the BNS and the BNSS against which the EGI has raised concerns. These provisions include Section 152 (Treason), Section 197 (Imputations Prejudicial to National Integration), Sections 111-112 (Organised Crime), and Section 113 (Terrorism) of the BNS. Along with each section, the letter provides the issues associated with the said provision and the ways the same can be misused against journalists and clamp down on personal liberties.

In regarding to the BNSS, procedural provisions governing arrest and bail, powers of search and seizure, and attachment and confiscation of proceeds of crime have been highlighted in the letter.

The complete letter can be viewed as follows:

Related:

CJP moves UP Police against the communal and hate-spewing speeches

Should Government Employees be allowed to Join RSS?

United Christian Forum submits detailed memorandum to Minority Affairs minister Kiren Rijiju highlighting targeted violence against Christian Community; demands repeal of anti-conversion laws

The post Editors’ Guild of India warns of rising threats to journalists under new criminal laws in letter addressed to Home Minister Amit Shah appeared first on SabrangIndia.

The post Free And Fearless Journalism In A Fight For Survival appeared first on SabrangIndia.

Purkayastha, 73, founder editor of the Delhi based news portal NewsClick, was arrested in October 2023 under UAPA on charges that he had received Chinese money to destabilize the country. NewsClick had been repeatedly raided by different authorities including the Income Tax, the Enforcement Directorate and   the Special Cell of the Delhi Police. In October the homes of 46 persons were raided at dawn and 480 electronic devices, including personal mobiles and laptops, were seized. Purkayastha has now been released since the grounds of arrest were not provided to him in writing at the time of arrest. The Supreme Court has held that this is a violation of the “fundamental right guaranteed to the arrested person” to be able to defend themselves and also apply for bail.

Navlakha, 66, a veteran Delhi journalist and human rights activist, was arrested in 2018 in the infamous Bhima Koregaon case. He was in jail and later granted house arrest when his medical condition deteriorated. The NIA has demanded that he pay Rs 1.6 crore for the security magnanimously provided to him while under house arrest in Mumbai. The Supreme Court, while granting bail has observed that, “The trial would take years and years and years to complete.” There are 375 witnesses to be heard in the case.

Asif Sultan, 36, was arrested in 2018 under a UAPA case for alleged links with militants. He was granted bail in 2022 by the Jammu & Kashmir High Court as no links had been established but he faced ‘revolving door’ arrests. He was immediately held under the Public Safety Act. He was incarcerated for six years. He has now been granted bail again in another UAPA case but with stringent conditions on his use of electronic communication devices including mobiles.

THE NAJ, DUJ and APWJF welcome the bail granted to journalists and other citizens while severely condemning the numerous politically motivated cases filed against them in recent years. We call for the quashing of all such FIRs and cases and an end to malicious prosecution of media persons.

The post NAJ, DUJ, APWJF Welcome Bail to Journalists appeared first on SabrangIndia.

As per a report in Newslaundry, he was also called “Mullah” and “attanki” by the BJP workers. He had been speaking to local women who had reportedly told him on video that they were paid Rs 100 to attend the rally. When the journalist informed the party workers that he had video evidence of these claims, he was commanded to delete the footage after which the brutal assault against him started.

A video clip of Trivedi speaking to the women, who say they were paid to attend the rally, was posted today on X, formerly Twitter, by the journalist who has been receiving medical treatment after the violence. The woman in the clip admits that everyone has been told they will get 100 rupees for attendance. However, when Trivedi asks her if she knows Amit Shah, the person whose rally she is reportedly paid to attend, she says no.

ये वो वीडियो क्लिप है जिसको बचाने के लिए मुझे अमित शाह की रैली में लिंचिंग का शिकार होना पड़ा, ये वो क्लिप है जो 400 पार के खोखले दावे की सच्चाई दिखा रही है, वो भाजपाई साथी जो मुझे पीट रहे थे उन्हें बस ये क्लिप चाहिए थे जो मैंने उनको नहीं दी और अब उपलोड कर रहा हूँ.

हां ये सच है… pic.twitter.com/AoUB6BdKZT

— Raghav trivedi (@RaghavTrivedi18) May 13, 2024

The journalist has stated that the police were deployed at the venue near them but they did nothing when the attack was going on.

Journalists and politicians condemn the incident

The attack has received a lot of criticism, especially from the media fraternity. The Press Club of India has condemned the incident, stating that “Such things undermine India, being the fourth pillar of democracy.” The organisation has urged the ECI and authorities to act on the complaint quickly and take strict action.

The Press Club of India vehemently condemns the attack on @moliticsindia journalist, Raghav Trivedi while he was covering the Union home minister, Amit Shah’s rally in Rae Bareli, UP

We urge the EC and local authorities to ensure strict action against the attackers.

— Press Club of India (@PCITweets) May 12, 2024

The opposition, including the Congress party and UP based Samajwadi Party, have also taken to share the news on their social media. Congress leader Bhupesh Bhaghel has even stated to the media that Trivedi was beaten because the crowd “thought he was Muslim.” Members of the National Student Union of India, Congress’ student wing, also visited him in the hospital, according to Scroll.

Scores of people have taken to social media to condemn the incident. One user with the user’s name IndrajitTripathi24 on YouTube writes, “गुंडागर्दी है ये gunda raj में.” (This is thuggery in a lawless land.)

Another user, named Varun Choudhary, under Raghav Trivedi’s post on X writes that this is the price of saying the truth, “सच बोलने पर जुबान काट ली जाती है। यही तो तानाशाही है। खिलाफ़ वोट दिया जा रहा है।” (Your tongue is cut for saying the truth. This is fascism. They are being voted against.)

As of now, an FIR has been filed by Sanjeet Sahni, a camera person who was with Trivedi at the incident against unidentified people under the sections 147 (rioting), 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), and 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace) of the Indian Penal Code.

Related:

Meet Ambedkarite journalists using social media to bring us stories from the margins, foregrounding both their hurdles & achievements

Uttarakhand: Will the Ankita Bhandari murder case, arrest of journalist, Negi affect the April 19 poll?

Top US academics, including Amartya Sen, condemn long incarceration of journalists & activists, erosion of Indian democracy

‘EVM is my father’s property.’ BJP leader’s son detained for making live video from poll booth in Gujarat

The post Journalist beaten at Amit Shah’s rally in UP after recording women saying they were paid to attend rally appeared first on SabrangIndia.

The media platform took to X, formerly Twitter, to announce YouTube’s decision.

चुनाव के बीच ‘Bolta Hindustan’ पर लगे बैन को हटाया गया, Youtube ने कहा- ‘हमें कुछ भी गलत नहीं मिला’ pic.twitter.com/sdX3YZANfO

— Bolta Hindustan (@BoltaHindustan) May 8, 2024

As per the channel, YouTube has undertaken a review and has now ‘confirmed’ that the channel is not in violation of the platform’s Terms and Service. 

In April, YouTube had informed the platform that they were being removed because the government sent them an order. This action had come just a week before voting for India’s Lok Sabha elections began in April, and therefore began raising allegations of press censorship. However, a month later in May, YouTube has reportedly reinstated the account apologising for any inconvenience caused. In response to the latest move, the platform has stated that they did not deter from following journalistic standards and principles. They took the legal path and asked YouTube to reconsider its decision to ban the channel. 

The founder of Bolta Hindustan, Haseen Rahmani, had spoken to Sabrang India after the ban, classifying the ban as an ‘attack on the messenger.’ citing how people who made hate speech were not being persecuted by those in power, but those who showcased crimes against the marginalised were instead being punished. 

This is however not the only independent news platform that has witnessed a ban in the past six months. Soon after Bolta Hindustan was banned, the central government had reportedly issued a notice to ban the online news platform National Dastak from YouTube. Two other platforms, including Article – 19 on April 3rd and Media Swaraj on February 8 were also banned. It is to be noted that each of these media platforms are independent media platforms that are not owned by corporate houses. They have also been noted for criticisms of the current government and its policies.

In 2023, India witnessed several of its news agencies being bought by corporate giants. Renowned agencies and media houses such as NDTV and IANS saw over 50% of their shares being bought by Gautam Adani. In an India where news channels are being increasingly bought by corporate giants with links to governments, the ban on these channels has brought about charges of infringing on press freedom. These bans have brought out criticism from India’s press unions. Press Club of India criticised the move to ban Bolta Hindustan and National Dastak as an “extreme act of the government.” 

Related

“The messenger is being punished.” – Bolta Hindustan after YouTube channel ban

After Bolta Hindustan, Centre tells YouTube to remove National Dastak channel

YouTube allows content containing false and incendiary information about India’s elections: report

India third highest across the world to enforce internet shutdowns

 Hindustan ko bolne do, says DUJ

The post YouTube reinstates Bolta Hindustan account, cites no wrongdoing after government order appeared first on SabrangIndia.