Arrest of Gujarat Samachar owner part of BJP’s “politics of fear”: Rahul Gandhi
New Delhi: Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha and Indian National Congress leader, Rahul Gandhi has condemned the arrest of Bahubali Shah, co-founder of Gujarat Samachar, one of India’s highest circulating dailies, calling it yet another attempt to stifle dissent in a democracy.
According to Kashmir Media Service, Shah, the managing director of Lok Prakashan Limited—publishers of Gujarat Samachar—was arrested in Ahmedabad by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday. The arrest relates to a 2016 case concerning the alleged misuse of funds. Shah’s brother, Shreyans Shah, who is the editor-in-chief and managing director of Gujarat Samachar, has accused the Modi government of political vendetta, stating that the ED summoned and detained Bahubali Shah without prior written notice. As of now, the ED has yet to issue an official statement clarifying the specific grounds for the arrest.
In a post on X, Rahul Gandhi condemned the arrest, stating, “The attempt to silence Gujarat Samachar is another conspiracy to suppress the voice of not just one newspaper but the entire democracy. When newspapers that hold power accountable are locked, then understand that democracy is in danger”.
“The arrest of Bahubali Shah is a part of the same politics of fear that has now become the identity of the Modi government. The country will not be run by sticks or fear – India will be run by truth and the Constitution”, he added.
In a separate post, Congress General Secretary K.C. Venugopal also criticized the arrest, calling it a blatant attempt by the BJP-led government to force independent media outlets to fall in line. “The Gujarat Samachar is fearless in its critique of the Modi-led BJP regime. The ED arrest of owner Bahubali Shah is the BJP’s way of making independent media bend and toe the regime’s line”. He called it a “blatant misuse of investigative agencies” and said it was “against the spirit of the Constitution”.
