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Belgian Photojournalist Arrested in India Sparks Press Freedom Concerns
March 12, 2025
March 12, 2025 – India –
The recent arrest of a journalist in Hyderabad, Telangana, has ignited a storm of controversy over press freedom in India. The journalist, M. Suresh, was taken into custody on March 17, 2025, after he posted a video of a farmer praising former Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao (KCR), leader of the opposition Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), while criticizing the current Congress-led state government. The video quickly went viral on social media, prompting swift action from the authorities.
Suresh, affiliated with a local Telugu news outlet, was arrested on charges of promoting enmity and creating public disorder under various sections of the Indian Penal Code. His arrest sparked immediate backlash from journalists, civil society, and opposition parties, who accused the Congress government in Telangana of attempting to silence critical voices and curtail freedom of expression.
The BRS condemned the arrest, calling it a blatant attack on democracy and an attempt to muzzle the media. They argued that the journalist was merely performing his duty by sharing the farmer’s voice. The Telangana Union of Working Journalists also issued a strong statement demanding Suresh’s unconditional release and urging the government to respect the rights of media professionals.
Supporters of the Congress government, however, claimed the video was misleading and potentially incited public unrest. They accused certain media outlets of intentionally spreading content that could disrupt communal harmony and destabilize the administration.
The incident has reignited national debate over press freedom in India, particularly concerning the treatment of regional journalists and the use of legal tools to intimidate them. Rights groups have pointed out that local journalists often face the harshest crackdowns, despite being vital in reporting grassroots issues.
As the journalist remains in custody, protests are intensifying both online and on the ground. The growing outrage highlights the increasing tension between the media and political authorities, especially in the context of upcoming elections, where controlling the narrative is proving to be a high-stakes battle.
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