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PRESS-INDIA
Indian journalist jailed after Modi Facebook post
NEW DELHI, Dec 19, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – An Indian journalist has been jailed
for a year after he criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Facebook, in
the latest example of what critics claim is a clampdown on free speech.
Kishorechandra Wangkhem was arrested last month in the remote northeastern
state of Manipur under a draconian law that allows authorities to detain
anyone for up to a year without trial.
The 39-year-old television journalist is accused of posting an
“inflammatory” social media video in November, in which he accused Modi and
state chief minister Biren Singh’s government of promoting rightwing Hindu
ideology in the region.
Local media said he called Singh a “puppet” of Modi and of the Rashtriya
Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), a hardline Hindu group and ideological mentor of
Modi’s ruling party.
Authorities said the arrest was made to “prevent him from acting in any
matter prejudicial to the security of the state”.
Police had initially detained him on charges of sedition but he secured
bail from a local court, which castigated him for using indecent language.
He was re-arrested days later under the stringent National Security Act
before a government panel approved his year-long detention on Thursday.
Wangkhem’s family is expected to challenge the detention.
Several Indian journalist unions have condemned his arrest and demanded his
release. At least a dozen people have been arrested across the country this
year over similar social media posts against Modi.
Last month a teacher was arrested in the neighbouring state of Assam after
he compared Modi to a “dog”.
Divya Spandana, social media chief for the main Congress opposition party,
was charged with sedition in September.
She had tweeted a meme that showed an altered image of Modi’s wax statue
with a placard emblazoned with “thief”.
In July, Reporters Without Borders warned of deteriorating press freedom in
the world’s largest democracy and the targeting of critics of Modi’s Hindu
nationalist government.
India ranked 138th in the World Press Freedom Index run by RSF, trailing
countries like Zimbabwe and Afghanistan.
Many journalists have faced increased harassment or even violence since
Modi came to power in 2014.
BSS/AFP/SSS/1741 hrs