NEW DELHI: The founding editor of a news website critical of Hindutva ideology has been apprehended under a strict anti-terrorism law in India on allegations of receiving foreign funds for promoting pro-China content.

Prabir Purkayastha, the founder and editor-in-chief of NewsClick, was arrested on Tuesday evening on charges of criminal conspiracy under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA). The police raided the homes of a dozen other journalists linked with the site, questioning them on terror charges, and seizing laptops, mobile phones and hard disks.

Of them, 37 men were taken to the Delhi police special cell’s office, while nine women were questioned at their residences. By approximately 8:30pm, all detainees at the special cell’s office, except Mr Purkayastha and NewsClick administrator Amit Chakravarty, were released. Mr Chakravarty, the HR department head, has a disability and relies on crutches, according to The Wire.

In August, NewsClick faced charges, including the UAPA terror law, known for detaining left-leaning intellectuals and journalists. Accused of collaborating with a China-based financier, the portal was subjected to police raids. The opposition India Alliance criticised these actions, alleging a government crackdown on policy critics and erosion of free speech rights.

The FIR reportedly originated from a New York Times report in August. BJP MP Nishikant Dubey referenced this report in the Lok Sabha, alleging that Congress leaders and NewsClick received Chinese funds to create an ‘anti-India’ environment.

In actions reminiscent of the 1975 Emergency, several journalists, including Abhisar Sharma, Bhasha Singh, Urmilesh, Paranjoy Guha Thakurta, Githa Hariharan, Aunindyo Chakravarty, Sohail Hashmi, and Sanjay Rajaura, were ‘raided’ on Tuesday. Other targets included Satyam Tiwari, former NewsClick managing editor Pranjal.

Homes of past and present Newsclick journalists, contributors, and employees were searched, including those of Anuradha Raman, Satyam Tiwari, Aditi Nigam, and Sumedha Pal. Authorities did not provide a hash value for seized digital devices, raising concerns of possible tampering.

The police have put a lock on the NewsClick‘s office in New Delhi.

Mr Purkayastha, a former JNU student arrested during the 1975-77 emergency, was detained by Delhi Police under the BJP-led government for his role in NewsClick, a news portal critical of Hindutva and corporate interests. The nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, asserted that the raids were warranted, emphasising the need for investigating agencies to evaluate foreign funding to media organisations, Al Jazeera reported.

“I don’t need to justify,” Indian minister for information and broadcasting Anurag Thakur said.

“If anyone has attempted a crime, search agencies are free to carry out investigations,” he added.

A statement issued by the INDIA alliance, comprising 28 opposition political parties, contended that over the past nine years, the government has intentionally targeted and suppressed the media through various investigative agencies.

Several months ago, Indian tax authorities conducted raids at BBC offices in New Delhi and Mumbai, following the release of a critical documentary about Mr Modi. Journalists who express criticism of the government report heightened harassment, especially on social media platforms where Modi’s ruling party wields significant influence.

Critics argue that Mr Modi’s administration has exerted pressure on rights organisations by closely examining their financial activities and restricting foreign funding.

India’s World Press Freedom Index ranking has plummeted, placing it in the bottom 20 globally and among the lowest in the G20.

Published in Dawn, October 4th, 2023