Gujarat State Bharatiya Janata Party President Jagdish Vishwakarma made strong statements on Saturday. He expressed deep concern about media suppression in Punjab. Vishwakarma spoke at the state BJP office in Gandhinagar during a press conference.
Punjab Government Faces Criticism
Vishwakarma directly targeted the Bhagwant Mann government in Punjab. He described it as a "puppet-like" administration operating at Arvind Kejriwal's behest. The BJP leader called the ongoing media oppression extremely concerning for Indian democracy.
Recent Incident in Bathinda
Vishwakarma highlighted a specific incident involving Punjab Kesari Group. He said Punjab police raided the group's printing press in Bathinda recently. This happened without any prior notice or official order according to his account.
Journalists faced physical assault during this raid. Many newspaper employees sustained injuries. The office was eventually locked by authorities. Vishwakarma characterized this as pressure politics against media institutions publishing unbiased news.
Attack on Democracy's Fourth Pillar
The Gujarat BJP president framed this as a broader issue. "The continuous attack on media by the Mann government represents an open assault on democracy's fourth pillar," Vishwakarma stated clearly. He emphasized that his party strongly condemns what he called a direct attack on democratic principles.
West Bengal Under Scrutiny
Vishwakarma also commented on West Bengal's political situation. He contrasted the state's historical reputation with current conditions. West Bengal was once known for democratic consciousness and intellectual tradition according to the BJP leader.
Under TMC rule, it has transformed into a "laboratory of fear, coercion, and political violence". Vishwakarma made this comparison while discussing media freedom issues across different states.
Political Context and Presence
The press conference included other senior BJP figures. State BJP General Secretary Prashantbhai Korat attended the event. Dr. Anilbhai Patel, the state BJP chief spokesperson, was also present.
This statement comes amid ongoing political tensions between BJP and opposition parties. The Gujarat BJP leadership appears focused on highlighting what they perceive as democratic backsliding in opposition-ruled states.
