Leaders of the newly formed INDIA bloc in Jharkhand on Monday have sought President Droupadi Murmu’s intervention to stop the “dictatorial functioning of the Narendra Modi-led central government”, ensure freedom of expression and right to dissent and stop attack on independent journalism.

The INDIA bloc leaders from Jharkhand comprising representatives from almost all Left parties, AAP, JMM, RJD and Congress organised a march to Raj Bhavan on Monday and submitted a memorandum addressed to the President through Jharkhand governor C.P. Radhakrishnan. This was done to protest against the arrest of NewsClick founder Prabir Purkayastha and a colleague and the sealing of the news portal office by the Delhi police.

Former Hazaribagh MP and CPI leader Bhubaneshwar Prasad Mehta, who was present during the protest march, said: “We have appealed to the President of the country, who is the custodian of the Constitution, to stop the fascist and dictatorial style of functioning of the Narendra Modi-led government and ensure the Centre does not suppress freedom of expression of journalists by harassing and arresting them and sending federal agencies against political opponents.”

NewsClick founder Prabir Purkayastha and HR head Amit Chakravarty were arrested by the Delhi police on October 3 under the anti-terror law Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) for allegedly receiving money to spread pro-China propaganda. The office of the news portal has also been sealed.

JMM Ranchi district president Mushtaq Alam, who was also present at the protest, said that the letter informed the President about the constant harassment and intimidation of INDIA bloc leaders through federal agencies.

“We have informed through the letter about the constant harassment and intimidation through federal agencies like ED, IT and CBI against INDIA bloc leaders across the country by repeated search and summon. The letter also informs about several BJP leaders who had joined the party from other Opposition parties and were facing charges of corruption. But all of a sudden they are not being targeted by federal agencies,” said Alam.

CPM leader Prafula Linda said that through the letter they have appealed to the President to impress upon the Centre to end such harassment of Opposition parties’ leaders and media personnel and urged the President to save democracy in the country.

“We are passing through difficult times and our Centre is trying to misguide people using provocative religious slogans instead of focusing on providing jobs,” added Linda.