Attacking the Maharashtra government over the arrest of Republic TV editor-in-chief Arnab Goswami, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday termed the action as "blatant misuse" of state power, saying that it "reminds us of the emergency".
"Congress and its allies have shamed democracy once again. Blatant misuse of state power against Republic TV & Arnab Goswami is an attack on individual freedom and the 4th pillar of democracy. It reminds us of the Emergency. This attack on free press must be and WILL BE OPPOSED," Shah tweeted.
BJP National President Jagat Prakash Nadda also condemned the action and called it another instance of Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi-directed antic of silencing those who disagree with them.
"Every person who believes in a free press and freedom of expression is furious at the Maharashtra Government's bullying and harassment of Arnab Goswami. This is yet another instance of Sonia and Rahul Gandhi-directed antic of silencing those who disagree with them. Shameful!" Nadda tweeted.
"India didn't forgive Indira Gandhi for the Emergency. India never forgave Rajiv Gandhi for his assault on press freedom. And now, India will again punish Sonia-Rahul Gandhi for their brazen and intimidating use of state power to get equal with journalists," he said in another tweet.
Another minister to condemn the arrest was Smriti Irani. Taking to Twitter, she said, “Those in the free press who don’t stand up today in support of Arnab, you are now tactically in support of fascism. You may not like him, you may not approve of him,you may despise his very existence but if you stay silent you support suppression. Who speaks if you are next ?”
Goswami was detained by the Raigad Police on Wednesday and he alleged that he along with his mother-in-law, father-in-law, son and wife have been physically assaulted.
He was arrested for allegedly abetting the suicide of a 53-year-old interior designer in 2018. He has been charged under Section 306 and Section 34 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
