In a dictatorial move, the Congress-led Karnataka Government took action against senior journalist Ajeet Bharti on June 20, 2024. Three Karnataka police officers, dressed in civilian clothes, reached Bharti’s residence in Noida, Uttar Pradesh to deliver a notice. The notice pertains to a case filed against Bharti under sections that address spreading rumours and inciting hatred based on religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, and more.
It is significant to mention that Congress, which has pledged to promote free and independent journalism in its ‘Nyaya Patra,’ is now taking legal action against journalists, raising concerns about press freedom and government interference.
Police at Bharti’s house
According to sources, the Karnataka police officers arrived at Bharti’s house on Thursday, June 20, 2024. They remained there for a short period before handing over the notice to Bharti. The officers were not accompanied by local police and were dressed in civilian clothes. Suspicious of their intentions, Bharti contacted the local Uttar Pradesh police, who then arrived at his residence and escorted the Karnataka officials.
The notice cited a video Bharti posted on the social media platform X, titled “Rahul trying hard to fuel fire, Naseer wants Modi in a skull cap.” The video is accused of fostering enmity, hatred, and ill-will between communities. Consequently, an FIR was registered in the matter.
The Karnataka police have directed Ajeet Bharti to appear at the High Grounds Police Station within seven days of receiving the notice. This FIR, numbered 130/2024, was registered on June 15, 2024, at the High Grounds Police Station, Karnataka.
The FIR was filed by BK Bopanna, Secretary of the Karnataka Congress Committee’s Legal Cell. Initially, it was claimed that Bharti had created a false video about Rahul Gandhi on June 13, 2024. However, the notice given to Bharti on June 20, 2024, indicates that the video is spreading hatred, which led to the registration of the FIR.
Bopanna has alleged that Bharti falsely claimed that Rahul Gandhi advocated for the construction of the Babri Masjid in place of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. As a result, Bharti has been charged under Section 153A and Section 505(2) of the IPC.
Alt-News’ Zubair
It is noteworthy that so-called fact-checker Mohammad Zubair from the controversial fact-checking website Alt News was the first to target Bharti over this video. Zubair has frequently been accused of selectively editing clips to shape the narrative.
He shared a 40-second segment from Bharti’s longer video, questioning, “When did Rahul Gandhi say in any of his speeches that the Ram Temple will be removed and they will bring back the Babri Masjid? They repeatedly spread misinformation because they know they are protected by the BJP and the opposition will not take any action against them.”
I.N.D.I. Alliance: Partners in Dictatorship
The Congress and the I.N.D.I. Alliance governments have continuously tried to persecute journalists. This behaviour is evident from Punjab to Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Karnataka, all governed by the I.N.D.I. Alliance.
Action Against Aman Chopra by Rajasthan’s Congress Government
In Rajasthan, under the Congress government, several cases have been filed against journalists. One such case was against Aman Chopra, a journalist with News18 India channel. He was booked for airing the show “Desh Jhukne Nahi Denge” and later posting about it on his Twitter account.
Crackdown on Social Media Activists in Tamil Nadu
In Tamil Nadu, governed by the DMK, a key party in the INDIA alliance, there has been a consistent crackdown on journalists and social media activists. The case of Bihar YouTuber Manish Kashyap gained significant attention. He was even booked under the NSA, leading to several months in jail. Later, the court acquitted him of all charges.
Persecution of a YouTuber in Tamil Nadu
YouTuber Savukku Shankar faced severe persecution in Tamil Nadu. He was arrested on May 4, 2024, by Tamil Nadu police for a cybercrime case. His lawyer, Gopalakrishna, reported that Shankar was beaten by the staff at Coimbatore Central Jail, resulting in a fractured right hand without proper medical treatment. Shankar was arrested from Theni for making objectionable comments against female constables.
Arrest of Red Pix YouTube Editor Felix Gerald from Delhi
Red Pix YouTube editor Felix Gerald was arrested by Tamil Nadu police in New Delhi. Following this, Seeman, the leader of the Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK), questioned on May 11, 2024, whether Tamil Nadu was still a democratic state or had become fascist. Seeman demanded the immediate withdrawal of the case against Gerald and the false charges against ‘Savukku’ Shankar. Criticising the DMK government led by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, Seeman said, “Arresting the anchor (Felix Gerald) for the objectionable statements made by a guest during the program is against the law. It is unacceptable to arrest an anchor for the guest’s comments. This is like curbing the freedom of speech and expression of the media.” Both were arrested after Thuvakku criticised the Tamil Nadu government on the same show.
Bhiku Mhatre Arrested by Karnataka Government
The cyber crime police in Karnataka arrested a social media user known as @MumbaichaDon, according to multiple posts on X by Bharatiya Janata Party leaders. The user, whose social media name is Bhiku Mhatre (based on the popular character played by Manoj Bajpayee in the 1998 crime thriller Satya), was arrested for sharing an edited clip of Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on reservations and posting a tweet on the Congress manifesto in which the user attacked the Muslim community. J Saravanan, a complainant from Srirampura, filed an FIR against @MumbaichaDon over his tweet on the Congress manifesto. According to the FIR, the user’s post “tried to trigger communal unrest in society by intentionally creating hatred between Hindus and Muslims.”
FIR against Journalist in Karnataka
In a controversial move, the Telangana state government booked a journalist for raising a civic issue, specifically complaining about a power failure within Hyderabad city limits on June 18. This incident starkly highlights the government’s tendency to target the messenger rather than address the issue at hand. According to the FIR, an assistant engineer in the Saroornagar Division of Telangana State Power Distribution Company Limited (TGSPDCL) claimed that on June 18, 2024, around 1700 hours, he received a message from higher officials regarding a post by the journalist with the username @revathitweets. The post alleged a seven-hour power interruption in the LB Nagar Area. However, the engineer stated that an inquiry into the substation data sheets from the past six months showed no such power interruption.
‘Nyaya Patra’ and Congress’ Promise on Freedom of Press
Before the elections, the Congress released a 48-page manifesto titled ‘Nyaya Patra’ (Manifesto), outlining various promises for different segments of society. A significant focus was placed on ‘Freedom of Press,’ dedicating an entire page to ensuring freedom and independence in journalism, free from state interference.
However, their actions post-election contradict these promises.
According to the Nyaya Patra, the Congress pledged to uphold principles such as self-regulation as the most effective means to address media misuse. They committed to amending the Press Council of India Act, 1978, to bolster self-regulation, safeguard journalistic freedoms, maintain editorial independence, and prevent government interference.
Furthermore, Congress vowed to protect independent journalism, “Congress will defend independent journalism by enacting laws to protect journalists from coercive action by the State. This includes restricting the powers of the government for surveillance of journalists, seizure of their devices and exposure of their sources”
Other commitments included in the manifesto were:
- Amending the Press Council of India Act, 1978, to empower the Council to combat fake news and paid news.
- Implementing measures to curb media monopolies and prevent cross-ownership.
- Addressing new laws that grant excessive censorship powers to the government.
- Amending the Cinematograph Act, 1952, to ensure the Central Board of Film Certification grants certificates based on transparent and reasonable criteria.
These pledges were aimed at safeguarding media freedom and ensuring a fair and transparent regulatory environment for journalism and media in India.
Who is the Real ‘Dictator’?
It’s ironic that the same Congress, while preaching lessons on ‘Democracy’ to the ruling party, propagated over 100 instances of fake news during elections—from claims like ‘BJP will change the Constitution’ to ‘Khata-Khat’ schemes. They lamented that democracy is dying and India is slipping into a dictatorial regime. One of their supporters, social media influencer Dhruv Rathee, even referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a ‘Dictator’.
Interestingly, despite ruling BJP governments in over 25 states, they have never filed a case against any purveyors of fake news or supporters of Congress, despite being labelled as dictatorial. In contrast, Congress has utilised state machinery to suppress dissenting voices while paradoxically branding themselves as champions of democracy.
Ultimately, readers are left to ponder—who truly embodies the title of ‘Dictator’?
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