The arrest of Arnab Goswami has taken the political scenario of India by storm. From Home Minister to I&B Minister , this news has affected many. Some Union Ministers have condemn Arnab Goswami’s arrest and called it Days of Emergency.
The arrest has fuelled and incensed many. Most notably the members of the ruling party BJP who are calling it fascism by the Maharashtra state government. Here are some of the reactions.
“Congress and its allies have shamed democracy once again. Blatant misuse of state power against Republic TV and 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,” tweeted Home Minister Amit Shah as reports emerged of Arnab Goswami’s arrest.
“We condemn the attack on press freedom in Maharashtra. This is not the way to treat the Press. This reminds us of the emergency days when the press was treated like this,” posted Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar.
“Shades of the Emergency! The arrest of Arnab Goswami is an attack on the freedom of press. Those who really believe in this freedom must speak up!” – tweeted Foreign Minister S Jaishankar.
The Maharashtra ruling Shiv Sena denied all such allegations that this was a vengeful move.
“The law is followed in Maharashtra. Police can take action if they have evidence against anyone. Since the formation of the Uddhav Thackeray government, no action has been taken against anyone for revenge,” said senior Sena leader Sanjay Raut.
This arrest come in the light of another controversy that Arnab Goswami is embedded in with the Mumbai Police. Arnab Goswami along with his channel Republic TV is being investigated as part of a TRP scam. This has not sit well with the editor as he accused the police of holding a vendetta against him and his channel over his criticism of the state government and police.
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The Editors’ Guild of India expressed shock. “We condemn the sudden arrest and find it extremely distressing. The guild calls upon Maharashtra to ensure that Goswami is treated fairly and state power is not used against critical reporting by the media,” the top media body said in a statement.