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Rahul Gandhi and Arvind Kejriwal lashed out at the Centre over the arrest of the co-owner of Gujarat’s largest daily, and alleged that the incident shows the BJP is “frustrated”.
Bahubali Shah arrested by ED (Photo: X)
A co-owner of Gujarat’s largest newspaper ‘Gujarat Samachar’ was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with a money laundering case, prompting the Opposition to target the government over freedom of speech.
Bahubali Shah, the arrested individual, was held after searches at various locations associated with him. He is also one of the directors of Lok Prakashan Limited, under which the daily is published, while his elder brother, Shreyansh Shah, is the managing editor of Gujarat Samachar.
The ED has yet not released an official statement on the cause for his arrest, however, the Opposition alleged that Shah’s arrest was “politics of fear” and that democracy was in danger.
Top leaders such as Rahul Gandhi and Arvind Kejriwal commented on the arrest and alleged that the BJP wanted to silence voices “that ask questions”.
“The attempt to silence Gujarat Samachar is not just about one newspaper, but another conspiracy to suppress the voice of the entire democracy. When locks are placed on newspapers that hold a mirror to power, understand that democracy is in danger. The arrest of Bahubali Shah is part of the same politics of fear that has now become the hallmark of the Modi government. The country will not run on batons, nor on fear—India will run on truth and the Constitution,” Rahul Gandhi posted on X.
Hitting out at the government, Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal said the arrest of the co-owner shows “BJP’s frustration”.
“In the past 48 hours, raids by IT and ED on Gujarat Samachar and GSTV, followed by the arrest of their owner Bahubalibhai Shah — this is not a coincidence. It is an indication of the BJP’s frustration, which seeks to silence every voice that speaks the truth and asks questions. The people of the country and Gujarat will soon respond to this dictatorship,” he said.
- Location :
Gujarat, India, India
- First Published:
