After recent military clashes between India and Pakistan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his government have undertaken measures that appear to be an attempt at silencing dissident voices. According to The New York Times report, such measures include arresting academics, blocking social media accounts, detaining individuals under stringent laws and arresting activists – raising serious concerns over freedom of expression and democratic rights in India.
One of the most notable cases involves Dr. Ali Khan Mahmudabad, a respected political science professor from Ashoka University who was arrested in Delhi over social media posts that criticized India’s military actions against Pakistan and highlighted minority communities’ struggles. His arrest caused widespread outrage among academics and human rights advocates who view it as an assault on academic freedom and freedom of expression. X (formerly Twitter) +5 The Times of India +5 The Financial Times +5 And The News International have expressed outrage regarding Dr. Mahmudabad’s detention: Judetean X (formerly Twitter) +5
Aminul Islam, an MLA with Assam’s All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF), was detained under the National Security Act for making statements that could be perceived as sympathetic towards Pakistan. Authorities used national security concerns as justification for his detention – an action widely condemned by opposition parties and civil society groups alike.
The Times of India
Indian authorities’ actions extend even to digital platforms. Social media company X (formerly Twitter) reported being asked by authorities in India to block more than 8,000 accounts belonging to foreign media outlets like China’s Xinhua and Turkey’s TRT World for spreading misinformation relating to Kashmir conflict. Although complying with such orders under protest due to concerns over freedom of expression.
Financial Times
Business Insider mes and The Guardian all published reports detailing such instances.
+3 These developments have attracted criticism from opposition parties and international observers. The Congress party accused the Modi government of engaging in manufactured outrage and applying double standards, noting how critics of his are targeted, while certain ruling party members made controversial statements without facing consequences for them.
Human rights organizations have voiced alarm over the misuse of laws like Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and National Security Act (NSA) to detain individuals without trial. Critics claim these statutes are being utilized as tools against dissent and target minority communities.
Wikipedia
The government’s actions come amid elevated tensions in the region following an attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 people – mostly Hindu tourists – which India blamed on Pakistan, prompting India to launch a series of retaliatory strikes and threaten retaliatory strikes against Pakistan as well. Although a ceasefire has since been reached, domestic fallout remains with attention focusing on their response to domestic dissent from various quarters – World Socialist Web Site +2 The Guardian + 2 News International + 2
Indian authorities continue to negotiate the delicate balance between national security and democratic freedoms, prompting serious concerns regarding India’s recent crackdown. Many observers warn of long-term implications of suppressing dissent for both India’s democratic institutions and international standing.
This report is compiled using information sourced from The New York Times and other reliable sources.