Gandhinagar: Gujarat BJP President Shri Jagdishbhai Vishwakarma on Tuesday strongly condemned what he described as systematic attacks on the media in Punjab and an atmosphere of fear, violence, and political intimidation in West Bengal under the rule of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Trinamool Congress (TMC) respectively.
Addressing a press conference at the Gujarat BJP headquarters “Shri Kamalam” in Koba, Gandhinagar, Shri Vishwakarma emphasized that the media plays a crucial role in democracy by acting as a bridge of trust between the government and the people. He said journalists work day and night to highlight public issues, problems, and concerns, while also presenting both the strengths and shortcomings of governments before the public.
Shri Vishwakarma alleged that under the direction of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, the Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab government has been carrying out oppressive actions against media organizations. He termed these actions as a direct attack on democracy’s fourth pillar.
Citing recent incidents, he claimed that the Punjab Police conducted raids without notice or legal authorization at a printing press of the Punjab Kesari Group in Bathinda. According to him, journalists and staff were assaulted, employees were detained illegally, office locks were broken, and injured workers had to be admitted to the civil hospital. He described the incident as an outright assault on democratic values.
He further alleged that similar actions had occurred earlier, including illegal entry and assault at printing presses in Jalandhar, and the seizure of printing machines across Punjab on November 2, 2025. He claimed that newspapers critical of the Punjab government were targeted, copies were burnt, drivers were detained, and mobile phones were confiscated.
Shri Vishwakarma also alleged that FIRs were filed against prominent newspaper groups and YouTubers critical of the government, and that media houses were pressured not to broadcast BJP press conferences. He compared the situation to the Emergency imposed by the Congress government, calling it a “dark chapter in Indian democracy.”
Turning to West Bengal, Shri Vishwakarma expressed grave concern over what he described as the collapse of law and order under Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s TMC government. He said that a state once known for its democratic consciousness and intellectual tradition has now turned into a laboratory of fear, coercion, and political violence.
Referring to the recent death of Booth Level Officer (BLO) Shri Ashok Das from the Jadavpur Assembly constituency, he alleged that TMC leaders had threatened and pressured the officer not to remove illegal voters from the electoral roll. According to him, the continuous threats, including harm to the officer’s family, led to severe mental stress, ultimately resulting in suicide.
Shri Vishwakarma said that when a government employee is made to believe that the law will not protect him and that telling the truth could cost his life, it amounts to the murder of democracy itself. He questioned whether such incidents could truly be termed suicides or whether they reflected silent cries of honest officials crushed by political pressure.
He accused the TMC of attempting to win elections by relying on illegal infiltrators and fake voters, alleging that resistance to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls stems from fear of losing its vote bank. He also criticized the West Bengal government for not cooperating with border fencing efforts and alleged that attacks on officials during SIR hearings were carried out to protect illegal voters.
Shri Vishwakarma summarized TMC’s governance by stating:
T = Politics of appeasement, M = Mafia and goondaraj, C = Crime culture.
Concluding his address, Shri Vishwakarma asserted that the Bharatiya Janata Party would not remain silent in the face of fear, suppression, and electoral manipulation. He said the party would continue its struggle until justice is delivered to Ashok Das and until West Bengal becomes free from fear and political violence.
The press conference was attended by Gujarat BJP General Secretary Shri Prashantbhai Korat and Chief Spokesperson Dr. Anilbhai Patel.
