INDIA Bloc Meeting: Opposition reaches consensus on 5 key issues, seeks Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge announced five major decisions on which a broad consensus was reached.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday strongly criticised the Central government over the state of press freedom in India. Speaking on World Press Freedom Day, he said that journalists in the country are working in an atmosphere of fear, where intimidation, arrests, and even violence are becoming common.
In a post on X, Kharge said India’s democratic values have weakened significantly since 2014. He pointed out that the country’s global ranking in the World Press Freedom Index has fallen sharply during this period, reaching 157th position.
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On World Press Freedom Day, the nation must confront a stark and undeniable reality. Since 2014, India’s position in the World Press Freedom Index has steadily declined, falling to 157th place, under the BJP regime.
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A free press, in its truest sense, does not exist to amplify…
— Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) May 3, 2026
According to him, this reflects a serious decline in the space given to independent journalism under the present ruling system.
He argued that the role of the press is not to support the government but to question it. “A free press, in its truest sense, does not exist to amplify the government’s narrative or conceal its failures. It exists to question authority, to scrutinise power, and to hold those in office accountable,” he said in his post.
“Journalists are custodians of truth,” says Kharge, citing Nehru’s words
Kharge also highlighted the importance of media in a democratic system. He said that journalists act as protectors of public truth and help maintain a balance between people and those in power.
He stressed that democracy cannot survive without a free press. Quoting India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, Kharge said, “The freedom of the Press is not just a slogan but an essential attribute of the democratic process.” He added that this essential democratic value is now “gravely compromised” under the current government.
According to him, when media freedom weakens, citizens lose access to truthful and independent information. He said this directly affects the health of democracy because people cannot properly question or evaluate those who govern them.
Allegations of legal pressure and rising cases against journalists
The Congress chief also accused the government and its ideological affiliates of using laws to pressure journalists and news organisations. He said legal tools such as defamation cases, national security provisions, and broad criminal laws are being used not for justice, but to silence critical voices.
Kharge described this as a deliberate attempt to control the media. He said such actions are creating fear among journalists and discouraging independent reporting.
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He also presented data to support his claims. According to him, between 2014 and 2020, more than 135 journalists were arrested, detained, or questioned. He further stated that between 2014 and 2023, 36 journalists were imprisoned in different cases. He said many of them were booked under strict laws like the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), which is often criticised for its harsh provisions.
Kharge said this rising number of cases shows a pattern of increasing pressure on the media and shrinking space for independent reporting in the country.
Violence against journalists and alleged push to control digital media
Kharge also raised concern over violence against journalists in several states. He said that reporters have been killed while covering corruption and public issues. He named several individuals, including Raghvendra Bajpai in Uttar Pradesh, Mukesh Chandrakar in Chhattisgarh, Rajeev Pratap Singh in Uttarakhand, and Dharmendra Singh Chauhan in Haryana.
According to him, these journalists were doing their professional duty of reporting facts, but were targeted for exposing issues of public interest. He said these incidents reflect a disturbing pattern where those who speak the truth face serious risks.
Kharge further alleged that the government is trying to extend its control over digital platforms as well. He said that after influencing traditional media, there is now an effort to tighten control over social media spaces. Also, he warned that this could further limit free expression in the digital world.
He also claimed that media outlets are being divided into two groups. One supports the government and other faces pressure for asking questions. According to him, critical voices are being continuously targeted while compliant media organisations are being rewarded.
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