NewsClick Founder Arrested Under UAPA in Foreign Funding Case
The Delhi Police on October 3 arrested Prabir Purkayastha, the founder and editor-in-chief of the online news portal NewsClick, under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). Purkayastha was arrested in connection with a case filed under the anti-terror law following allegations that NewsClick received money for pro-China propaganda.
The Delhi Police also raided NewsClick’s office in Delhi and the homes of several of its journalists. During the raids, the police seized laptops, phones, and other devices.
Purkayastha’s arrest has been condemned by journalists and human rights activists, who say that it is an attack on press freedom. They say that the UAPA is a draconian law that is often used to silence dissent.
The Press Club of India has issued a statement demanding Purkayastha’s immediate release. The statement says that Purkayastha’s arrest is a “gross miscarriage of justice” and that it is “an attempt to intimidate the media.”
The Editors Guild of India has also condemned Purkayastha’s arrest. The Guild has said that the arrest is “a clear attempt to muzzle the media” and that it is “a threat to democracy.”
Purkayastha’s arrest is the latest in a series of attacks on the media in India. In recent years, there has been a growing crackdown on journalists and news organizations that are critical of the government.
The arrest of Prabir Purkayastha is a worrying development for press freedom in India. It is important to remember that a free and independent media is essential for a healthy democracy.
