The Congress led an angry Opposition in condemning the “vindictive” strike on the BBC by the Narendra Modi government, arguing that even the mildest of criticism is unacceptable to the regime that is strangulating even political voices that asked questions of the Prime Minister.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge tweeted: “Time and again, there has been an assault on freedom of press under Modi Govt. This is done with brazen & unapologetic vengeance to strangulate remotely critical voices. No Democracy can survive if institutions are used to attack Opposition & Media. People WILL resist this.”
Congress general secretary in charge of organisation K.C. Venugopal tweeted: “The IT raid at BBC’s offices reeks of desperation and shows that the Modi government is scared of criticism. We condemn these intimidation tactics in the harshest terms. This undemocratic and dictatorial attitude cannot go on any longer.”
The Congress dug up old videos of Modi in which he is talking about the need for a strong, objective and fearless media.
While in one video Modi is seen praising the BBC, in another he is telling a journalist: “We want a media which will resist pressure instead of running away. Don’t be afraid. Come to me if there is a threat, I will protect you. The country cannot do without a fearless media.”
CPM general secretary Sitaram Yechury tweeted: “We condemn searches conducted by the Income Tax department at BBC offices in Delhi and Mumbai. This is a blatant attempt to intimidate and harass the television channel for having telecast the documentary, ‘The Modi Question’. This standard tactic of the Modi govt won’t wash.”
The politburo said in a statement: “The CPM condemns the searches conducted by the income tax department of the BBC offices in Delhi and Mumbai. It is a standard tactic of the Modi government to intimidate the Indian media through raids conducted by the income tax department and other agencies. This has now been extended to a foreign media enterprise operating in India. This coercive action will further reinforce internationally the image of the Modi government as an authoritarian regime which seeks to suppress media criticism.”
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav said the raid on the BBC was a declaration of “Ideological Emergency”.
BSP leader Danish Ali said: “The IT, ED, CBI haven’t reached Adani’s offices but the BBC office is facing searches.
This latest attack will further push India down in Media Freedom Index.” Trinamul MP Mahua Moitra said: “Reports of Income Tax raid at BBC’s Delhi office. Wow, really? How unexpected. Meanwhile, farsaan seva for Adani when he drops in for a chat with SEBI Chairman.” Gujarati snacks are called “farsaan”.
Jammu and Kashmir chief minister and PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti said: “Cause & effect of raids on the BBC Office is quite obvious. The Government of India is brazenly hounding those who speak the truth. Be it opposition leaders, media, activists or anyone else for that matter”.
The Editors Guild of India issued a statement saying: “The surveys by the IT department are in continuation of a trend of using government agencies to intimidate and harass press organisations that are critical of government policies or the ruling establishment....”
Calling it a clear-cut case of political vendetta, the Press Club of India “strongly condemned” the surveys.
It said: “Such an action on an international broadcasting network could damage the reputation and image of India as the largest democracy in the world.”
The National Alliance of Journalists and the Delhi Union of Journalists condemned the searches. Calling it undeclared censorship of the media, DUJ president S.K. Pande said these were ominous signs for democracy.
