New Delhi: The Indian Journalists Union (IJU) expresses grave concern over the recent spate of arrests in Assam and other parts of India, where individuals, including journalists and citizens, have been detained for their social media posts and public comments. The arrest of 94 individuals since the Pahalgam terror attack in Assam alone reportedly for expressing views deemed “pro-Pakistan” or critical of government actions, raises serious questions about the state of freedom of expression and press freedom in the country.
IJU President and former member of the Press Council of India, Geetartha Pathak, stated, “While national security is paramount, the indiscriminate labeling of dissenting voices as ‘anti-India’ and the subsequent arrests for mere social media posts are deeply troubling. Freedom of expression is a cornerstone of democracy, and curbing it under the guise of nationalism risks stifling legitimate discourse. We urge the authorities to exercise restraint and ensure that actions against individuals are based on clear evidence of wrongdoing, not subjective interpretations of patriotism.”
IJU Secretary General Sabina Inderjit added, “The press and citizens must have the right to question and critique government actions, including those related to the Pahalgam attack and Operation Sindoor, without fear of retribution. The increasing trend of arrests for online expression undermines the democratic fabric of our nation and creates a chilling effect on free speech. We call for a transparent judicial process and appeal to the government to uphold constitutional protections guaranteed under Article 19.”
The IJU acknowledges the sensitivity of the current security situation but emphasizes that dissent and critique are not synonymous with disloyalty. We urge the government to engage in dialogue with civil society and media stakeholders to address these concerns. The IJU stands in solidarity with those facing undue persecution for exercising their fundamental rights and calls for an immediate review of these arrests to ensure justice and fairness.
