Attack on Freedom of Expression: Journalists Slam Kanojia’s Arrest

Opposing Kanojia’s arrest, activist Umar Khalid demanded immediate dismissal of “the pointless FIR” against him.

Journalist Prashant Kanojia and UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

(Photo: The Quint)

Freelance journalist Prashant Kanojia was arrested by the Uttar Pradesh police on Saturday, 8 June, for allegedly trying to “malign” Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s image via a social media post.

Kanojia had shared a video on social media in which a woman is seen speaking to reporters of various media organisations outside Adityanath's office, claiming that she had sent him a marriage proposal.

‘Shows Lack of Tolerance to Any Kind of Opinion’

Condemning the incident, independent journalist and founder of Free Speech Collective Geeta Seshu told The Quint that Kanojia’s arrest is an “attack on the freedom of expression and reflects the perverse, arrogant behaviour of the Uttar Pradesh government”.

“There is absolutely no way in which his tweets can be seen as a threat to law and order. The UP government’s decision to use its state machinery is highly excessive and totally condemnable. This journalist was arrested on a day when he could not even secure bail. So, basic principles of natural justice were not adhered to. It demonstrates the complete lack of tolerance to any kind of opinion.”

Geeta Seshu, Free Speech Collective 

Demanding immediate release of Kanojia and compensation for the trauma he is undergoing, Seshu said, “The message that needs to go across is that this kind of intolerant India is really not what we want and what this government is trying to push. It's highly disturbing and has to be stopped immediately.”

‘Kanojia’s Arrest Is an Attack on All of Us’

Vehemently opposing Kanojia’s arrest, activist Umar Khalid asked for the immediate dismissal of “the pointless FIR” against him. Stressing that his arrest is something that cannot be taken lightly, Khalid told The Quint, “It is a message to all us free-spirited individuals, activities, journalists, especially that we shall be put behind bars if we raise our voices and ask questions to the government. It is Prashant today (who has been arrested), it can be any of us tomorrow.”

“His arrest is an attack on all of us, on our constitutional rights that give us the freedom of speech, the freedom to ask our government questions...I request you all to come together, get united and take a stand against Prashant Kanojia’s arrest. I request everyone to not sleep in peace unless Prashan Kanojia is released and reaches his home in Delhi safe.”

Umar Khalid, Activist

‘Blatant Abuse of Power & State Machinery

Journalist Namita Bhandare opined that Kanojia’a arrest by the UP government was a “blatant abuse of power and state machinery.” Stressing on the immediate release of the journalist, Bhandare told The Quint, “police's action is an open attempt to intimidate and silence journalists from speaking truth to power.”

“The journalist must be released immediately. But equally important and crucial to the future of our democracy s an inquiry into the circumstances of their arrest. We must know why they were arrested, what were the charges and was this arrest even legal.”

Namita Bhandare, Journalist 

Further, Bhandare said, this abuse of power cannot be left unchallenged since it has huge implications for the freedom of the press as well as our democracy as a whole.