Since When Did Journalists Become State ‘Enemies’ In A Democracy?: Journalists React To Newsclick Police Raids
Several senior journalists accused of having “terror links” were raided and interrogated by Delhi Police on Tuesday, October 3, 2023. According to reports, the Special Cell of the Delhi Police conducted raids on at least 35 locations, including the homes of seven journalists and places associated with the news portal NewsClick.
The journalists who were subjected to raids include Abhisar Sharma, Bhasha Singh, Urmilesh, Prabir Purkaayastha, and Aunindyo Chakravarty. In addition to these journalists, writer Githa Hariharan, activist and historian Sohail Hashmi, and satirist and stand-up comic Sanjay Rajaura were also subjected to raids. The raids were conducted amidst allegations that NewsClick had received funding from China.
Breaking story this morning: Delhi police special cell raids homes of several journalists/writers associated with Newsclick website. Take away mobiles and laptops.. interrogation on. No warrant/FIR shown yet. Since when did journalists become state ‘enemies’ in a democracy?
— Rajdeep Sardesai (@sardesairajdeep) October 3, 2023
As the investigation on this matter progresses, many eminent journalists, including Rajdeep Sardesai, Sagarika Ghose, and Rohini Singh, as well as lawyer and activist Prashant Bhushan, have unleashed sharp criticism over the matter.
Taking to Twitter, Rajdeep Sardesai alleged that the police acted without serving a warrant or registering an FIR. He also claimed that the police took mobiles and laptops away. Sardesai”s post ends with an emphasis on democracy, as he points out that such an insidious act is uncalled for in a democratic country like India.
"Delhi Police Conducts Early Morning Raids at Houses of Journalists, Satirists.
Several spoke of their electronic devices–laptops& telephones–being taken away by the police.
Modi Govt's attempt to silence Media&civil society. Totally illegal. Will backfirehttps://t.co/y0g827OFzm— Prashant Bhushan (@pbhushan1) October 3, 2023
Another journalist, Rohini Singh, accused the government of making journalism the biggest crime in the new India, while Sagarika Ghose asserted that this kind of act is supposed to be held in autocracies, not in a democratic country like India.
Journalists raided by the police, laptops and phones taken away because journalism is the biggest crime in new India.
— Rohini Singh (@rohini_sgh) October 3, 2023
Early morning police “raids” on journalists homes. Shocking overreach by @DelhiPolice. Such police action happens in autocracies not in the world’s largest democracy https://t.co/vcl1GHrekh
— Sagarika Ghose (@sagarikaghose) October 3, 2023
However, Prashant Bhushan, senior lawyer and activist, accused the Modi government of attempting to silence the media and civil society in the wake of the incident. He also warned the government that the act was illegal and would definitely backfire.
