Mumbai: The arrest of Arnab Goswami, editor-in-chief and Managing Director of Republic Media Network on Wednesday has evoked serious criticism from opposition leaders who compared it to the Emergency. It has also led to a virtual war of words.
Taking it to his personal Twitter account, Union Home Minister, Amit Shah Said, “Congress and its allies have shamed democracy once again. Blatant misuse of state power against Republic TV & 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.”
Congress and its allies have shamed democracy once again.
Blatant misuse of state power against Republic TV & 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.
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) November 4, 2020
Prakash Javadekar also reminded all of the Emergency. He wrote, “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.
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.@PIB_India @DDNewslive @republic
— Prakash Javadekar (@PrakashJavdekar) November 4, 2020
Meanwhile, Shiv Sena leader, Sanjay Raut has said, “The law is followed in Maharashtra. Police can take action if they have evidence against anyone. Since the formation of the Thackeray government, no action has been taken against anyone for revenge,” reported news agency, ANI.
Public lawyer and activist, Prashant Bhushan however threw dirt on the opposition minister saying he is touched. He wrote, “The way in which the Union ministers have come out against Arnab Goswami’s arrest by Mumbai police is touching, especially their calling it an emergency. They said nothing when BJP govts arrested dozens of journalists. Also when their NIA/CBI/ED/Police harasses & arrests activists.”
The way in which the Union ministers have come out against ArnabGoswami's arrest by Mumbai police is touching, especially their calling it an emergency. They said nothing when BJP govts arrested dozens of journalists. Also when their NIA/CBI/ED/Police harasses & arrests activists
— Prashant Bhushan (@pbhushan1) November 4, 2020
Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan called out Congress’s Sonia Gandhi for falsehood and arrogance.
Maharashtra Govt’s witch-hunt against media freedom is appalling and an assault on the very essence of democracy.
MVA's attempts to throttle free speech and recreate #Emergency in Maharashtra is highly condemnable and a naked display of brutish intolerance.#ArnabGoswami
— Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) November 4, 2020
Is there a place for such arrogance and falsehood Mrs. Sonia Gandhi?
What is the Congress-led MVA terrified of?
Is this victimisation of a journalist the result of him calling you by your maiden name? #ArnabGoswami #Maharashtra
— Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) November 4, 2020
Arnab Goswami has claimed that he was manhandled and assaulted by the police at his Mumbai home before being arrested.
News agency ANI quoted Arnab saying that Mumbai Police physically assaulted his mother-in-law and father-in-law, son, and wife. Furthermore, footages aired by Republic TV show policemen holding him as they took him away.
Regarding the abetment charges, Naik had reportedly named Arnab Goswami in a suicide note and had accused Republic TV of not paying him his dues.
The case was being investigated after fresh complaints by Naik’s daughter.
Meanwhile, a shocked Editors Guild issued a press statement condemning Goswami’s arrest.
The Editors Guild of India has issued a statement on the arrest of Arnab Goswami, editor-in-chief of Republic TV. pic.twitter.com/gL3MstVlla
— Editors Guild of India (@IndEditorsGuild) November 4, 2020
