Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal has criticised the Telangana government over the arrest of two journalists, calling it a consequence of the growing “intolerance” in the country.
The journalists were taken into custody for allegedly criticising the state’s Chief Minister and spreading false information that could incite divisions and disturb law and order.
Sibal expressed his disapproval in a post on X, stating, “Telangana arrests two journalists for criticising the CM for spreading falsehood, inciting divisions to disturb law and order. Really? Arrest is not the solution. It is the result of a contagious disease called intolerance!”
His remarks come amidst mounting political backlash against the Congress-led government in Telangana for its actions against the press. The controversy has drawn reactions from opposition leaders, including Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) Working President K. T. Rama Rao (KTR), who also took aim at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over the arrests.
KTR, in a social media post, questioned Gandhi’s stance on press freedom. He wrote, “Is this your ‘Mohabbat ki Dukaan’, Rahul Gandhi ji? Arresting two women journalists in the wee hours of the morning!! What is their crime? Giving voice to public opinion on the incompetent and corrupt Congress government. Last I checked, the Constitution of India that you regularly hold up upholds freedom of speech, Mr Gandhi.”
The criticism was echoed by BJP leader Shehzad Poonawalla, who accused the Congress government of suppressing press freedom. He claimed that a senior journalist was arrested for highlighting the difficulties faced by farmers in Telangana.
“Rahul Gandhi preaches about free media, freedom of the press, and democracy. But in Telangana, the Congress government is displaying an emergency-era mindset. The Revanth Reddy-led government has arrested a senior journalist, sending police to pick her up early in the morning. Her only crime was showing the frustration and struggles of Telangana’s farmers who exposed the failures of the state government,” Poonawalla stated in a video posted on X.
He further accused the Congress government of routinely targeting journalists and activists. “Instead of addressing the farmers’ concerns, they have chosen to silence the journalists. This is not the first time. Filing cases against journalists and activists has become a pattern under Congress governments,” he added.
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