ગુજરાતી
English
(This is a Google translation from Gujarati language on this portal. There is a possibility of error. See the Gujarati section on the controversy)
Short points report https://allgujaratnews.in/en/journalists-danger-gujarat/
June 26, 2025
Report: Dilip Patel
Attack on Press Freedom: As BJP celebrates Emergency Day, it is important to understand the kind of crisis Modi unleashed against journalists. Apart from this, it is also important to understand the details of attacks and harassment on journalists in Gujarat. Indira Gandhi’s crisis was not justified in any way. But Modi’s implicit and hidden crisis is even more dangerous. Gujarat journalists have experienced this. Due to which many journalists have been killed. There have been threats to life, economic attacks. There has been indiscriminate use of power. Newspapers and TV channels have been shut down. Even today, many journalists are fighting cases in court. The right to information of journalists has been violated. Many journalists who did not bow down to Modi have lost their jobs. A journalist is currently in jail in Gujarat. The journalists have submitted their applications to the Chief Minister on 6 October 2023 and 30 January 2024. This report also mentions the attacks on journalists. The main job of journalists is to convey information to the public. Fearless and unbiased journalists are being mistreated. It seems that anti-social elements rule in Gujarat. Law and order has collapsed. If fearless and unbiased journalists are mistreated in this way, you will be able to see what the country’s economy has become. It has become difficult for journalists to write. Is it wrong for journalists to give correct information..? Modi’s hidden crisis Indira Gandhi’s crisis was public. Modi’s crisis is hidden. Anyway, Modi has a habit of doing it secretly since 1985. Officially the rights have not been taken away, but in practice there are no rights left. This is very shocking. We are living in an informal emergency beyond the law. In an official emergency, citizens can expect that sometimes it will be resolved and the situation will become normal. How can you resolve it when the emergency has not been officially declared? There have been many incidents of attacks on journalists and misuse of law by the police in Gujarat in the last 11 years from 2014. The Home Department should investigate these and publish a white paper. Incidents against journalists Journalist Dilip Patel’s video forcibly removed Journalist Dilip Patel, who exposed the truth of the election of Home Minister Amit Shah’s constituency during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, was forced to remove the video from Satya Day TV channel. Police was sent. In which people associated with Reliance Company also played a supporting role. People associated with ADC Bank were putting heavy pressure. Case against journalist Tushar Basia
On January 12, 2024, a criminal of Singanpur police station of Surat did not register a complaint on behalf of the government against a pervert who touched the private parts of a sixth class girl on a public road in Surat. This incident was reported by Tushar Basia, a journalist of Navjeevan News. Navjeevan, Gandhiji had founded this organization to fight against the British through newspapers. Journalist Tushar Basia raised his voice considering the victim as his daughter. After 12 days, the police had to register a complaint after the journalist’s report. Then on January 24, 2024, Singanpur police officer Rathod registered an FIR on behalf of the government against Isam who molested the girl under IPC section 234A / POCSO Act section-8, 23 (1) (2) / Juvenile Justice Act section-74 / IT Act section-66 (E). And journalist Tushar Basia was made the accused. The law was misused to harass the journalist. Actually, the complainant did not want to lodge a complaint, but after the video of the incident went viral on social media, the complainant lodged a complaint within an hour of Navjivan’s report. On the day of the molestation, the complainant, the girl’s mother and people from Riddhi-Siddhi Society went to Singrapur Police Station in the women’s helpline’s vehicle carrying the society’s CCTV footage. Tushar Basiya has mentioned that she is the daughter of a ‘Marathi working sister’. This is the allegation made by the police. But, they have taken care not to reveal the girl’s identity. The girl or her parents-brother are not named in the report. If Tushar Basiya had not published this report, the Singrapur police would not have filed an FIR yet. Thinking that it would spoil their image, they registered the crime within half an hour. At that time, Surat Police Commissioner Ajay Tomar did not take any punitive action against PI Rathod who did not register an FIR despite knowing about the serious cognizable crime for 12 days. After independent journalists from all over Gujarat protested against this, he was transferred to Rajkot. The innocent journalist performed his true duty and did the duty of journalism. What do they want to prove by falsely implicating him in a serious crime? Tushar Basiya has deliberately maligned the image of Tushar Basiya. Tushar Basiya’s intention was that the girl should get justice. The pure charity of Tushar Basiya is visible, but the pure charity of Surat Police is not visible.
.
Public meeting in 2019
In an impromptu open session-like meeting held in Ahmedabad in 2019, a committee of senior journalists was formed to investigate the incidents that threaten the freedom of the press and media, the fourth pillar of democracy in Gujarat, and to instill a sense of security in the entire Gujarati journalism community and submit a written report to the government on April 15.
Cyber attacks on journalists
Cyber attacks are increasing in Gujarat. Journalists are being harassed on social media using abusive language for criticizing a particular party or leader.
Recently, the Gujarat bureau chief of the New Indian Express was also attacked in a similar manner.
Outspoken journalist Dilip Patel is being constantly attacked on his social media account. Journalist Hari Desai is also being targeted on social media.
Attacks are being made.
Atrocities in Valsad
On April 11, 2022, a report was published in Valsad’s South Gujarat Kharat newspaper, titled that the administrators have set up a setup for liquor smuggling. After this report, the Valsad police registered a case against the editor of the newspaper, Punyapal Shah, under serious sections and arrested him. Along with this, the police also registered a complaint against his uncle Jayantibhai, who has nothing to do with this newspaper and lives separately with his family in Bilimora. Even in the government, police officers are running the bureaucracy by misusing their power. They are suppressing the voice of the media, which is considered the fourth pillar of democracy.
300 newspapers protested and the police arrested them
On September 11, 2018, journalists, editors and owners of 300 small newspapers were stopped from going to the Secretariat in Gandhinagar. The police took them into custody. They were taken to Sector 7 police station. They wanted to go before the government and ask many questions to the government.
4100 newspapers closed
4100 small and medium newspapers have been closed in Gujarat due to various reasons. Advertisements of those who do not obey the government are stopped. Ultimately these newspapers fall into the pit of losses and have to be closed. Even the mention of Gandhinagar Samachar, a source of pride for Gujarat, is hurting the journalists.
Latest example of the feeling of revenge
In July 2023, the Bhupendra Patel government stopped advertisements of Gandhinagar Samachar and ended this newspaper. This newspaper has been bought by a BJP leader and BJP MLA. Since 2003, this newspaper was continuously failing in the eyes of Modi. Modi used to insult its journalists repeatedly. Therefore, sending journalists to the secretariat had to be reduced.
Phoolchhab went into corporate
The newspaper through which Javarchand Meghani fought for the independence of the country. The people of Gujarat were the foundation of Kasumbi Rang, now the BJP’s favorite industrial house has entered the Phoolchhab Newspaper Trust of Janmabhoomi Group. Which has bought NDTV.
16 attacks on journalists in Gujarat in 2019
In 2019, there were 16 attacks on journalists in Gujarat. Journalists from all over the world died in the year 2019, which is the lowest number of deaths in 16 years. But 2019 was the most cruel and worrying year for Gujarat.
Two TV channels closed
On 20 September 2022, 200 policemen entered the office of Network News Gujarat in Gandhinagar. They misbehaved with the female anchors in front of them. The channel was ordered to be closed. At least 300 journalists and technicians became unemployed. This TV channel exposed many government scams.
In 2022, the Ahmedabad Collector canceled the license of K News TV channel in Ahmedabad and shut it down. The government was strongly criticized in this.
Condemnation on YouTube channels
Many YouTube channels are run by clean journalists. Condemnation has been repeatedly leveled against them. And the government has not taken any action against good and renowned institutions
Minister of State for Home had given assurance
On May 15, 2029, well-known journalists of Gujarat had submitted a demand to the state government. Gujarat Patrakar Suraksha Samiti had submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister Vijaybhai Rupani and Minister of State for Home Pradeepsinh Jadeja regarding the attack on journalists in Junagadh. The Minister of State for Home had assured that no such incident will happen in future.
Raids to suppress Bhaskar
On 22 July 2021, raids were conducted on ‘Dainik Bhaskar’ and ‘Divya Bhaskar’. The government stopped their advertisements. The raids conducted by the Income Tax Department were an attempt to intimidate the media.
VTV
On 8 September 2021, the Income Tax Department raided Sambhav-VTV of Bodakdev, Ahmedabad. These institutions owned by the Vadodaria family were raided after its anchor joined the Aam Aadmi Party and created a ruckus against the BJP. They are still struggling.
GSTV
GSTV and the website have never worked under the protection of the government. Therefore, they have been attacked directly and indirectly. In 2025, raids were conducted by ED and Income Tax for 36 consecutive hours.
GSTV journalist attacked by co-passengers
On the night of Ganesh Visarjan in Vadodara, Vadodara Police attacked GSTV journalist by co-passengers. The journalist was beaten while sitting. He grabbed the fan and dragged. PSI Alpesh Patel gave him a loose rope. He was dragged away after asking his senior to lodge a complaint.
Jamnagar Divya Bhaskar journalist attacked
Sameer Ashokbhai Gadkari, working as Bureau Chief in a newspaper named Divya Bhaskar in Jamnagar, was beaten with a stick.
.
Attack on 22 journalists in Ahmedabad
22 journalists were attacked at the Ahmedabad GMDC ground during the Patidar rally in 2015. The police convoy was attacked. Their cameras were snatched and broken. Cassettes and memory cards were broken. The police repressed to such an extent that they were tortured. Not only at the GMDC ground, but also in the city of Ahmedabad, the police attacked journalists and cameramen who had gone to cover the incident of lathicharge on innocent people by the police. They demanded action against the attacking police officer. However, nothing happened.
Senior police officers misbehave with journalists covering reservation movement
In 2016, when Hardik Patel was going to the hunger strike camp after undergoing treatment during the movement, the media persons covering him from SGVP hospital were stopped by the police. Not only this, senior police officers misbehaved with all the journalists present. Journalists of Hardik Patel, who was on a 16-day hunger strike, started covering across the country. Which did not go down well with the Rupani government of Gujarat.
So after giving personal information to the police and instructing the journalists not to publish any news about Hardik Patel, the police behaved very badly with the journalists. The social leader misbehaved with the journalists and cameramen outside Hardik’s house. Once the police officers even tried to confiscate the camera from the cameraman present on the spot. When Hardik Patel, who was on a hunger strike, was returning after getting treatment at SGVP Hospital, Assistant Commissioner of Police Ashutosh Parmar stopped the journalists and cameramen following him and said that journalists and cameramen would not be allowed entry. This time the journalists wishing to get entry were trying to convince ACP Parmar, then Parmar lost his temper and started talking to the journalists in threatening language. This time DCP Jaipal Singh Rathore and Joint Commissioner of Police Amit Vishwakarma, who reached there, also ordered that journalists would not be allowed entry. Looking at the behavior of the police officers, it seemed that due to the media coverage Hardik was getting, such an order was given at the behest of the state government to stop journalists and cameramen from going to Hardik and not allow him to do coverage. During the fierce clash between the police and journalists, the enraged police officers pushed the journalists and cameramen, in which some policemen used sticks and a cameraman was hit on the head with a stick. Some policemen tried to seize the camera of the cameraman who was recording the entire incident. Journalists are protesting by sitting on the road. When journalists contacted the Ahmedabad Police Commissioner and informed him about this matter, he denied giving any such order, yet the journalists present on the spot were not allowed to meet Hardik Patel.
Mysterious death of TV9 journalist Chirag Patel
In March 2019, the body of Ahmedabad TV journalist Chirag Patel was found in a burnt condition. He is surrounded by all these apprehensions. When no conclusion was reached in the investigation, City Police Commissioner A.K. Singh has handed over the investigation of the case to the City Crime Branch. The mystery of the murder has not been revealed yet. Incidents like threats and murders against journalists are frequent in Ahmedabad, meanwhile the incident of murder of an Ahmedabad journalist took place. In the case of the mysterious death of Chirag Patel, many journalists of Ahmedabad city had taken out a candle march together. And the journalists had demanded that a proper investigation be done into the death of Chirag Patel and justice be given. The family had demanded that the investigation be handed over to the Crime Branch.
Attack on journalist by anti-social elements in MLA office
On 24 July 2015, the journalist was attacked by anti-social elements in the MLA’s office in Aravalli. A similar incident also took place in Visnagar.
The person who attacked journalist Jayeshbhai Bhai Lalbhai Jhala in Halvad on 7 April 2018 was not caught for a long time.
On 4 December 2018, a BJP official attacked the journalist in Rajkot.
On 18 November 2018, a police complaint was filed against the person who attacked journalist Haroon Togaji Node, who wrote about irregularities in Kharivav Mandila of Sarhad Dairy. He was injured by attacking his shoulder and was threatened with death. On 3 December 2019, a journalist of Surat Young Pratibha was attacked by liquor smugglers. Kuldeep Parmar On 4 October 2019, TV9 Banaskantha journalist Kuldeep Parmar and cameraman Akash Parmar were attacked in Gujarat. The journalist was kidnapped and beaten by the brother of a BJP leader. BJP leader Laxman Barad had gone to Kuwarshi village in Banaskantha to cover irregularities in government aid case at the ashram. Laxman’s brother Vadansingh along with 7 others kidnapped both the journalists and took them to a nearby farmhouse. Where they were beaten up. Both the journalists were released after two and a half hours. Rajesh Gajjar
On 21 July 2020, journalist Rajesh Gajjar was attacked in Deodar over a news story. On 21 July 2020, a news channel journalist was attacked in Deodar, Banaskantha while reporting on illegal shopping.
Attack on Manasi
On 21 February 2021, when the police attacked Divya Bhaskar’s female journalist Manasi, her editor had to write, “You can shoot but cannot stop us from exposing lies.”
On 13 October 2021, a female journalist was attacked in Keshod, Junagadh
or.
Bharuch
On 9 August 2021, TV channel owner Dineshbhai Advani was attacked by unknown assailants in an Innova car in Bharuch and fled.
On 23 August 2021, Crime Tehelka Weekly editor Dinesh Kalal was attacked in Chandlodia, Ahmedabad.
Uday Ranjan
On 20 December 2021, Gandhinagar police targeted and attacked G24 journalist Uday Ranjan during a protest at the BJP’s Gandhinagar office.
Corona
On 17 May 2020, a mob of activists along with others attacked journalist Hardik Joshi on the road near Shapar Veraval. 110 journalists died due to Corona. In which journalists demanded compensation and assistance. But the government has not accepted it till date. 11 journalists have received compensation.
Mandvi
In 2020, Divya Bhaskar journalist Sureshgiri Goswami was arrested by Mandvi Bar Association President Kheraj N. Rag and his two companions beat him publicly after getting angry with a news.
Deesa
In 2022, miscreants attacked a journalist outside the court in Deesa and seriously injured him. Political people
No.
Dolvan
On April 7, 2022, a complaint was lodged at Dolvan police station against the person who attacked the journalist. The journalist was attacked by asking him why he was running the news.
Sedition case against senior journalists in farmers’ tractor rally
A case of sedition was registered against some senior journalists of the country regarding the violence in the farmers’ tractor rally on Republic Day.
Gujarat News journalist threatened with death
Surendranagar incident, BJP MP Dr. Mahendra Munjpara threatened to kill the journalist of V TV and Gujarat News. Earlier he had misbehaved with 3 journalists at different times.
Adani Group files case against journalist in Gujarat
Paranjoy Guha Thakurta, former editor of Economics and Political Weekly, had written an article in Economics and Political Weekly in 2017 that the central government has changed the rules of the Special Economic Zone to benefit the Adani Group by Rs 500 crore. In this case, the Adani Group had filed a defamation case against him. And the magistrate of Mundra, Kutch had ordered the arrest of Thakurta. On which the Gujarat High Court stayed the order on 25 May 2021. It was submitted by the petitioner Paranjoy that the lower court had directly issued a non-bailable warrant without issuing a summons or bailable warrant, which is not legally correct. An undertaking was given by Paranjoy that whenever the lower court asks him to appear, he will appear. Hearing the arguments, the court ordered an interim stay on the arrest. The article was removed by the organization and then Paranjoy Guha Thakurta resigned. Then the same article was published by the news portal The Wire on 19 June 2017. Therefore, the Adani Group filed a defamation complaint against The Wire and individuals including Thakurta in the court of Kutch. In May 2019, the Adani Group withdrew all the cases against The Wire. But the case against Thakurta was not withdrawn. Journalist Paranjoy is a person who speaks the truth against those in power. He has written a book about Narendra Modi’s scams in the Rafale aircraft purchase. Bahadur Paranjoy is a journalist who has written a book exposing Adani. In which he has revealed many evidences. This book has also created a stir in the BJP. He has been offered to give his clarification many times, but he did not budge. There are 108 such journalists in Gujarat too who never bowed down to the pressure of the government. They are still fighting. Cases have been registered against many people in Gujarat.
Junagadh
In Junagadh city, the police had lathi-charged the journalists who had gone to cover the election of Radha Raman Mandir Board of the main Swaminarayan temple of Junagadh. Throughout the day, the journalists sat on a dharna demanding continuous protest and strict action in this matter. Also, massive protests were held in various parts of the state on this lathi-charge issue. Seeing the outrage of the journalists, the Rupani government suspended the Junagadh Range IG, a PAI of Junagadh A Division’s D-Staff and two constables. The journalists question that Rupani, why don’t you bring a law for the protection of journalists? 5 policemen attacked the journalists in a planned manner. The police, which failed to stop the attack on the Swami, targeted the media. The journalists were beaten up and lathi-charged. The investigation of the entire incident was handed over to ASP Raviteja Kasam Setty. The viral videos of this incident were given by the journalists for investigation. Later, PSI Gonsai and Bharat Chavda as well as two constables named Vijay Babaria were immediately suspended. This incident united the journalists. Many such incidents have led to attacks on journalists.
Journalist murdered in Junagadh
A journalist named Kishore Dave from Junagadh was murdered in his office.
Bad incident with journalist in Tapi district
A bad incident happened with a journalist in Tapi district 3 months ago. Tapi district journalist Anil Bhai Gamit was beaten up by the defeated election candidate Dineshbhai Chhotubhai Gamit in Songhar. In protest against the incident, all the journalists of Tapi District Patrakar Sangh submitted a petition to Tapi District SP and Collector and demanded strict action. The police arrested them. The journalists of Tapi district forgot their differences and started reporting in every news channel and newspaper.
Strongly condemned this incident.
Crime of sedition against 3 journalists in Gujarat in 2020
In 2020, a case of sedition was registered against 3 journalists. In which the Rupani government registered a case of sedition against Ahmedabad journalist Dhaval Patel in 2020. This journalist has now had to leave his newspaper and take refuge in America.
On Friday, 7 May 2020, the Ahmedabad Crime Branch registered a case of sedition and treason against Gujarati news portal- Face of Nation editor Dhaval Patel for uploading news from Ahmedabad, which was opposed by journalists across Gujarat. It was demanded that this crime be withdrawn immediately. The journalist had to flee the country. To this extent the government is oppressing journalists. He has written many reports exposing the political leaders and officials of Gujarat. The BJP high command can remove Chief Minister Vijay Rupani from his post and appoint Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya in his place. We are unable to understand how he wrote such news that it becomes a crime of treason. Such attitude of the government has spread fear among journalists. Yet there are 108 journalists who are fearlessly reporting against the government.
Wrongs are exposed in public interest. Since such incidents are happening continuously in Gujarat, journalists feel insecure and they feel that their freedom is being violated. Journalists often feel that they cannot write the truth.
Even when he wrote a report on the scam going on in Nadiad Municipality, the newspaper collector, holding a grudge against him, got it closed for 9 months. This was a direct attack on newspapers. It was an attack on the freedom of journalists. Dhawal went to the High Court and won. The High Court said that the collector has no right to close any newspaper. In this way the officer filed a false case against him and held a grudge.
The BJP government had declared 4 journalists from Valsad, Surat and Ahmedabad as traitors.
700 journalists gathered under the leadership of Dilip Patel
Earlier, the Gujarat government had registered a case of sedition against Times of India journalist Prashant Dayal. Cases have also been registered against many other journalists in Gujarat under this section. Recently, attacks are being made on the freedom of journalists in Gujarat. Unfair crimes are being registered. We condemn this. Anand Yagnik, a well-known advocate of Gujarat, is taking immediate action. At the time of this incident, there was a lot of anger among the journalists against the Narendra Modi government. 700 journalists under the leadership of Dilip Patel gathered in front of the Ahmedabad Police Commissioner’s office and protested. With the intention of compromise, the Modi government had proposed to remove this journalist from the Times of India. The Times management did not accept it. But then a conspiracy was hatched to remove him through different tricks.
Attack on female journalist Gopi
On July 19, 2008, two children died in the ashram of fraud Asaram Bapu. In protest against this, the residents went on strike. There was a lot of anger against the BJP and the Modi government. The rally turned violent. The religious leader’s supporters attacked journalists. People set police vehicles on fire. Several journalists, including Aaj Tak’s woman journalist Gopi Maniyar, were beaten up at that time. Equipment was also damaged. They were covering the clash between Asaram’s supporters and residents. Gopi had said at that time that Asaram Bapu’s supporters came out with sticks and rods. They beat up media personnel. I was also injured in this attack. The police did not register any complaint against them, so the journalists took out a march in front of the Asaram Ashram the next day. But the police stopped them in Sabarmati itself.
Attack in Banaskantha
The police have arrested Vadansingh Barar, the main accused in the kidnapping and murderous attack on TV Nine journalist Kuldeep Parmar from Banaskantha.
Dilip Singh Kshatriya case
In July 2023, when Dilip Singh Kshatriya, Gujarat head of The New Indian Express, wrote a report on the disappearance of 44,000 women from Gujarat, he was attacked online. He was threatened over the phone. His headquarters were also targeted. But this is the same newspaper that challenged censorship during Indira Gandhi’s Emergency. Ramnath Goenka had also fought the government during the Emergency. He had exposed the dark deeds of Reliance. How can he bow down to the Modi and Patel government. However, Dilip Singh Kshatriya was harassed by the ruling party where he had worked earlier. He was forced to quit his job.
Online threats
Even in the world’s most populous democracy of India, messages are going out that newspapers no longer have the responsibility to criticize the government. If the opposition party speaks, they are insulted on social media. Social media is being attacked. In which the saffron-saffron-English BJP saffron gang attacks. But journalists are not afraid of them, as can be seen on X and Facebook. Facebook is now under the control of the Indian government. Due to this, hired gangs of political parties work on a large scale to troll journalists who criticize the government online. They are threatened. Women journalists are mistreated.
Attacks in Rajkot
On 17 December 2019, young journalist Kuldeep Joshi of Jetalsar was attacked with a knife by Amit Bhuva of the village. Rajan
A person named Amit, a follower of the leaders, attacked him. A complaint letter was submitted to the Gandhinagar Collector on behalf of Naya Gujarat Lok Adhikar Jagrukta Samiti, a rally of journalists in Gandhinagar. Complaints were submitted to 8 municipal corporations regarding murders and attacks on RTI activists, social workers and journalists. In case of attack or murder on an applicant seeking information, the police was asked to immediately register an FIR and prosecute in a fast track court. In which Rupani did nothing for 4 years. Petition in Rajpipla On the 11th, a journalist of a news portal was detained due to malice regarding the news written on May 7. And a case of treason has been registered, which is very condemnable. Regarding which journalists of Narmada district had given a petition in Rajpipla. Journalists are being attacked all over the country including Gujarat. The police department is implicating journalists by registering false cases against them under the direct guidance of the government. The right to freedom of expression and freedom of speech is being violated. A petition requesting the Chief Minister to withdraw the sedition case registered against the journalist was submitted to Narmada District Collector Manoj Kothari. There is no security for journalists in the state. Journalists are attacked. Conspiracies are hatched against them and they are framed. The police department is behaving unjustly and maliciously with journalists.
This behavior was condemned. False cases are being registered against journalists to keep them under pressure. Bharat Shah, Ayaz Arab, Yogesh Vasava, Rahul Patel, Vishal Pathak, Kanaksingh Matroja, Jayesh Gandhi, Ashiq Pathan were present while filing the application. Meeting held in Ahmedabad A general meeting of journalists was held at Vastrapur Lake on 14 May 2019. A state-level coordination committee meeting was held. A demand was made to the Rupani government to make strict laws for the safety of journalists. No action has been taken in this regard till date. Journalists always work in the face of death by risking their lives. Journalists struggled with the people in the movement. Senior and young journalists from all print media, electronic media, radio, social media, web portals and all other forms of journalism attended this meeting. Journalists are being constantly attacked in Gujarat including Junagadh. In view of this, there is a wave of concern in the journalistic world. If journalists are not safe, where will the general public be? Petition
The petition was sent to the Chief Minister on 6 October 2023. Which has been taken up here as it is. News Click case: Gujarat journalists condemn the incident, urge Supreme Court to release journalists.
67 journalists arrested
67 journalists have been arrested in India in the year 2020. 200 journalists have been beaten up. A journalist who went to cover the incident of a teenager being gang-raped in Uttar Pradesh was caught and sent to jail for five months. There is no detail of how many journalists were taken action against in the 9 years from 2014 to 2023. But on the basis of 2020, it can be said that at least 500 journalists must have been targeted in the country. These details should be made public by the Gujarat and Central Government.
There are hundreds of journalists who are being attacked on social media, so that they stop writing, the basic intention of cyber bandits of a particular party is to stop them. Which needs to be stopped. For this, there is an urgent need for the Gujarat government to give legal protection to journalists.
What do the leaders say?
Former Gujarat Chief Minister Suresh Mehta and late Keshubhai Patel and some Congress leaders are clearly saying that there is an emergency-like situation in Gujarat since 2001 and journalists cannot write against the government. Many people believe that Gujarat and India are no longer safe for journalists. Such an atmosphere is also created and intimidated. But those who want to show the truth do so. Police cases are also being registered against them. Journalists’ phones are being tapped.
It is felt that the security of media in Gujarat is worrying.
When journalists ask questions, they are threatened with arrest. A meeting was held at Vastrapur Lake in Ahmedabad under the leadership of senior journalists on all these issues.
The media world feels that journalists in Gujarat are not treated properly by the government, police, officials etc. If the government or officials want to harass the media, even if democracy has ended, then such leaders are responsible for such a government. When the media in Gujarat unites and puts its point in front of the government, it is important that the government also takes it seriously and takes immediate action and the government also gives a positive message that journalists and media are safe in Gujarat. The Home Department should issue a circular for the guidance of the police. The government should provide security to journalists on the field and create an environment where they can work freely. Women journalists should be provided special security so that they do not have to face any kind of harassment in the field. Formation of Journalist Security Committee in every district or taluka or city. The members of the state level coordination committee were: Dhimant Purohit, Hari Desai, Dilip Patel, Padmakant Trivedi, Bhargav Parikh, Darshan Jamindar, Abhijit Bhatt, Gaurang Pandya, Prashant Patel, Jignesh Kalavadia, Narendra Jadhav, Yunush Gazi, Chetan Purohit, Deepen Padhiyar, Mahesh Shah. On 8 April 2017
The All India Journalist Security Committee had demanded from the Gujarat government that like the Maharashtra government and 8 other state governments, the Gujarat government should also bring a law for the interests of journalists. According to the Journalist Security Act Bill, it has repeatedly demanded that attacking a journalist should be considered a non-bailable offense. Make such a provision that the attacker has to pay a fine and also bear the cost of treatment of the injured journalist. The attacker should compensate for the loss. The draft of twelve demands given to the Gujarat government is pending in the government today. Journalists and journalist organizations are being attacked continuously. In a survey of 180 countries on the Press Freedom Index, India’s rank has fallen by two places to 142 in 2022. The situation is even worse in 2023. Now till the Lok Sabha elections, incidents of throttling the freedom of institutional journalists and journalists working independently have increased in Delhi and all the states. According to the Global Media Group, media freedom is being constantly attacked. In 2021, 4 journalists were killed in India while on duty. Gujarat is also not behind. Sabrina Siddiqui, White House correspondent of the Wall Street Journal newspaper, is being harassed since June 2023. The newspaper has complained to the White House about this. The newspaper said that ever since our journalist asked questions to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, people in India have been harassing her online. This also includes some leaders of the Modi government. Harassment and creating an atmosphere
They have adopted the method of prosecuting those who report news. Do you want to make Gujarat another Pakistan? There were 140 attacks on journalists in Pakistan in a period of 11 months. In the last nine years, the BJP government has deliberately oppressed the media and suppressed the voice of the media by deploying investigative agencies to suppress British Broadcasting Corporation, Newslaundry, Dainik Bhaskar, Bharat Samachar, Kashmir Wala, The Wire, etc. The Indian government uses UAPA and sedition law to silence critics. On June 14, 2023, the Editors Guild was upset with the intimidation and threats of journalists by BJP leader and minister Smriti Irani and said, do not attack the freedom of the press. An atmosphere of intimidation and fear is being created in an attempt to silence anyone who speaks against the government. Local organizations of journalists have to protest across the state against the attack and have to repeatedly apply to government representatives. In 2020, 64 accused who obstructed the work of Gujarat Police were arrested and sent to jail under PASA, similarly action should be taken against those who obstruct the work of journalists.
Swamani Patrakar
Journalists will never end. The fourth pillar dedicated to the truth will always be alive. There is a risk inherently for journalists who report. The risk is increasing for independent journalists doing investigative journalism. Journalists have to go through difficult situations.
It is not acceptable for anyone to dig out information that is in the interest of established interests. They adopt all methods including fines, penalties and discrimination. For journalists who do not bow down, are clean and sometimes stubborn, the method of fines is adopted as a last resort. Journalists are not afraid of bad elements. When a journalist is spotless and clean, he does not hesitate to raise his voice against anyone. A journalist who earns his livelihood by putting his head in the lap of the pen is proud of his honesty. This pride makes him a little arrogant and a little careless. They do not ask for police protection.
When a journalist is attacked or killed, there is a demand for police protection for journalists. There is talk of giving government protection. But, a true journalist does not ask for protection. He enjoys roaming around with his life in his hands. He also has an addiction. This addiction gives him the strength to take risks. This is a professional hazard.
Independent journalists
Good journalists of Gujarat who cannot tolerate anyone’s interference in their thoughts and writings are upset. Their livelihood is being snatched away. There are about 200 journalists who are working independently. It has become very difficult for the independent journalists of Ahmedabad to survive. Journalists have been harassed many times. They have been threatened with death, badly trolled. The current political situation is different in that rights are being openly violated without any official declaration of emergency.
History
Karsandas Mulji was a prominent social reformer, fearless journalist and writer of Gujarat in the nineteenth century. His magazine Satyaprakash has a unique place in the social and cultural history of Gujarat. Karsandas published his famous article ‘Hinduno Asal Dharam Aur Aadhi Pakhandi Mato’ on September 21, 1860. In this article he declared the actions of the Maharajas as unworthy. Due to this article, Jadunathji Maharaj filed a defamation suit of Rs 50,000 against Karsandas; the report of which was published as ‘Maharaj Ziwatabdi Case’ (1862).
Corporate Power
Democracy requires an environment where the media can function free of corporate power and political forces. But those who seek the truth suffer the most. The role of knowledge institutions is to challenge the authorities and to challenge those in power.
The people responsible have to be held accountable. But instead, once they are caught, these institutions themselves become the hands of the authorities. Legal protection of freedom of expression is inadequate, due to which they are easily caught.
When a journalist speaks the truth, the authorities do not like it. So they are attacked. Then the journalists ask. That is why the leaders and officials in power do not like journalists who write the truth. That is why they are harassed again and again. Many such incidents have happened in Gujarat in the last 20 years during Modi’s era. For that, there is Editors Guild to protect the rights of journalists. But there is not a single active organization to protect journalists in Gujarat. That is why the officials of Gujarat are enjoying it. The parties which are considered fearless fight against them. That is why the government has been harassing such journalists.
Make laws
Freedom of expression is not protected enough. Although it was guaranteed in the Constitution. But Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru limited that freedom by making the first constitutional amendment in 1951. Prime Minister Indira Gandhi imposed emergency in 1975 and after that newspapers were strangled in India for 21 months. In this way Nehru was the first to attack journalists. Now BJP and Modi are killing them. Leaders talk good about civil liberties in journalists’ programs. But dirty politics happens behind the scenes. Even the police and judiciary, which have the legacy of the British Raj, often do not provide security. The track record of Gujarat’s police and courts is also not commendable in this matter.
Conspiracy to make journalists casteist
There are no journalists in Gujarat now…..if there are, then there are SC journalists, ST journalists, OBC journalists, minority journalists, yes, there are no general category journalists at all. Wow
Yabrant says the Information Department of the dynamic government of Gujarat. If this can happen. The Information Department issues recognition cards to journalists to give them recognition. These cards also have to be renewed every year. The Information Department has added a new column for the first time in the renewal form sent to journalists. In which information about the caste of the journalist has been sought. Voters have been ruthlessly divided into minority vote banks. Journalists do not belong to any one caste or community. There is no need to know the caste of journalists.
Discrimination between those who write good things about the government and those who write the truth
Modi’s trusted industrialists have also filed cases against journalists. The government discriminates between those who write good things about the government in advertisements and those who write the truth. The government, government companies, government corporations, local self-government institutions, cooperative institutions, dairies, cooperative banks are 99 percent under the control of the BJP, they do not give advertisements to media owners who write the truth against the BJP. Owners of media owners who write good things about the BJP and the government are given financial help by giving advertisements against the rules. The Information Department is discriminating between journalists. Such petitions were given to the Chief Ministers earlier also. And action was demanded in 20 attacks on journalists. Presentation to Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel regarding atrocities, attacks, harassment, social media attacks and harassment by officials against journalists in Gujarat
History of Gujarati Journalism
Journalism is one of the main professions of modern civilization in Gujarat. Which includes getting news, writing, editing, presenting, monetizing, publishing or broadcasting news, etc. In today’s era, there are many mediums of journalism, including newspapers, magazines, radio, television, social media. It is divided into two main mediums print and audio-visual.
Mumbai Samachar of Gujarati language is the oldest daily in India. It has been 200 years. Mumbai Samachar was started in 1822. Gandhiji was a good journalist. During the independence era, all journalists fought against the British. Now most of the commercial TV channels and newspapers and websites praise the governments. Because they are afraid that the government will take action against them. Or the government gives them money. Trust in journalists Many journalists in Gujarat, considered pro-government, have repeatedly published inflammatory and often anti-minority matters. But action has rarely been taken against them. They have been placed in good positions in the government and government institutions. If a TV channel releases a journalist, the media cell helps him get a job again. Every month, the media cell helps many people get it back. The crime of sedition during the British Empire is now being used against journalists. Are journalists ‘soft targets’ to stifle press freedom? On 6 October 2023, the Special Cell of Delhi Police raided the houses of journalists associated with the news portal ‘News Click’. According to reports, a total of 46 people associated with News Click were questioned at more than 50 places in Delhi-NCR and Mumbai and their digital devices were seized. News Click’s Delhi office has also been sealed. Due to this, journalists and social leaders of Gujarat have condemned this action and expressed concern over ‘press freedom’.
Have the journalists of Gujarat and now India become terrorists? News Click founder and editor-in-chief Prabir Purkayastha and head of human resources department Amit Chakraborty have been sent to seven days of police custody. They have been arrested under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA). This is not fair in any way. In which it is difficult to get bail. Earlier, the Enforcement Directorate and the Economic Offenses Wing of Delhi Police were investigating the allegations of money laundering against News Click. The FIR was registered on August 17 based on the inputs of the ED. There should not be harsh laws like UAPA. There are enough laws in the country to fight terrorists, extortionists, murderers or enemies of the state. Similar laws have been misused in Gujarat as well. This is the reason why journalists have had to flee abroad. They have had to fight legal battles. Gujarat is with News Click in this incident. Journalists used to write against the UAPA law. Now the same law is being used against them.
Such laws are being used against innocent people. Gujarat is the first witness to this. Not terrorists but common people are being considered terrorists. Because they write against the government. When the current head of the Government of India was the head of Gujarat, he has always made such laws against his own people.
No government likes criticism or independent media. The situation in Gujarat has not been good for 22 years. If the news is not true then it is right to deny it, but calling it terrorism is worse than the British. Detaining journalists under anti-terrorism law is completely wrong. One of the fundamental rights in the Constitution is freedom of expression. The citizens of Gujarat will be connected with journalists on the issue of news click. For 22 years, the Modi government has been trying to arrest and intimidate journalists. Whatever is happening is wrong. The press cannot be treated like this.
The Editors Guild of India believes that in many cases police cases have been registered “to intimidate, harass and suppress the media”. Caravan is an investigative news magazine. This magazine has often been in conflict with the Modi government.
It has been said. Executive editor Vinod Jose declared that “the narrative that is being fabricated is very dangerous. We are living in a polarised environment where the government has branded its critics as traitors. The job of journalists is to question those in power.” The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party denies that journalists are being targeted. The BJP believes it is all for a “planned propaganda” against the government.
Crime rises under Modi’s rule
According to data compiled by the website Article14, over the past decade, 405 Indians have been charged with sedition for criticising leaders and governments, the highest number of cases since Narendra Modi came to power in 2014.
The Congress has opposed the Emergency and created a situation worse than the Emergency. This is an undeclared emergency. Gujarat had declared Modi’s hidden emergency since 2002. Which continues till date.
Journalists’ data and electronic devices arbitrarily seized
NewsClick was accused of receiving illegal funding from China through the US. According to the Foundation for Media Professionals, it is worrying that journalists’ data and electronic devices were arbitrarily seized. Computers and hard disks of a TV channel in Gujarat were seized in this manner. They were not returned. We fully support the Foundation for Media Professionals (FMP). Because it violates fundamental rights. India, the world’s largest democracy, has declined.
All mainstream media in India is now in the hands of rich industrialists close to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
All mainstream media in India is now in the hands of rich industrialists close to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Those who are not, are being harassed. They are being harassed online. Gujarat is a big factory making fake news. A few weeks ago, the Gujarat Bureau Chief of The New Indian Express was targeted in a similar way. Journalists are not above the law.
Journalists of small news portals are easy targets
Freelance journalists in Gujarat are troubled. Therefore, despite demanding a security law from the government, that protection has not been given. 112 journalists died due to corona in Gujarat, but only 11-12 journalists got help according to government rules.
PM Modi is scared, nervous. Especially those who question his failures, whether they are opposition leaders or journalists. Those who speak the truth are being harassed. More than 90 such journalists and newspapers and TV channels have suffered in Gujarat. Which we strongly oppose. We hope that journalists of Delhi and India will also unite with us on this issue.
Incidents of attacks on journalists’ expression have recently become a matter of concern for journalists across India. Journalism is the fourth pillar of democracy. When people do not see any hope for their economic problems from the government, court and administration, they go to journalists. Common people hope that their news will be published and they will get justice.
(Google translation from this portal in Gujarati language)
(There is a possibility of a mistake, error. See Gujarati section on the controversy)
(If there is any further details of crimes and atrocities against journalists in Gujarat, please send it to independent journalist Dilip Patel)
