Latest news with #KaranThapar
The Hindu
8 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
CM condemns FIRs against journalists
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has flayed the sedition charges against journalists Siddharth Varadarajan and Karan Thapar. In a post on X on Wednesday, Mr. Vijayan said, 'Strongly condemn the FIRs against eminent journalists Karan Thapar & Siddharth Varadarajan by Assam Police under the draconian Section 152 of BNS. This move seeks to silence independent journalism - the bedrock of democracy - is part of a fascistic trend. Democratic forces must unite & stand with bold voices of truth.'
The Hindu
a day ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Sedition redux: on trampling on press freedom
Filing frivolous cases against publications and summoning journalists without proper investigation or perusal of material evidence have become a part of the police playbook in States ruled by vindictive politicians who brook no criticism. The Assam Police's decision to reportedly summon the founding editor Siddharth Varadarajan and consulting editor Karan Thapar of The Wire under Section 152, among others, of the BNS, is yet another case of the state trampling on press freedom. The fact that the summons were issued by the Guwahati Crime Branch to the journalists in a fresh sedition FIR on the same day, August 12, when the Supreme Court had issued notice on The Wire's petition challenging the constitutional validity of the new sedition law (Section 152) and had protected them from any 'coercive action' by the Assam Police, makes these actions egregious. The summons, apart from another one related to a case registered at the Morigaon Police Station, seem to pertain to a report in The Wire on Operation Sindoor. The Wire has also pointed to other disturbing issues — the summons do not carry the FIR date or provide any details of the alleged offence or include a copy of the FIR — all of which are mandatory according to the BNSS sections associated with the summons. In addition, keeping the FIRs secret and not mentioning the reasons for the summons hint at police intimidation. Critics of Section 152 had rightly feared that it was a rebranded version of the colonial-era sedition law, whose cases the Court had kept in abeyance in 2022. Section 152 has even more expansive and dangerous provisions, setting the bar much lower for prosecution than the previous sedition law. Terms such as 'knowingly' could allow for prosecution even where there was no malicious intent to cause harm, unlike Section 124A's strict requirement to prove clear intent to incite disaffection. The vague language around 'sovereignty, unity, and integrity of India' provides dangerous latitude to law enforcement agencies. Even legitimate acts such as criticism of government policy could be construed as 'endangering unity'. Without clear definitions or safeguards, Section 152 can target individuals for merely expressing opinions that authorities deem threatening. This law's invocation against journalists questioning government narratives creates a chilling effect on press freedom. The Court's intervention in The Wire's case, to examine Section 152's constitutional validity while protecting journalists from coercive action, acknowledges the potential for abuse. However, the Assam Police's defiant response suggests that without stronger judicial oversight and clearer guidelines, Section 152 will continue to be weaponised against dissent. The onus now lies on the Court to recognise the unconstitutionality of the sedition laws, in their earlier form or rebranded, which have no place in a democratic society.
New Indian Express
2 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Guwahati Police summons journalists Siddharth Varadarajan, Karan Thapar in sedition case
GUWAHATI: The Guwahati Police has summoned senior journalists Siddharth Varadarajan and Karan Thapar in connection with a case registered on sedition charges, according to the notices. The two journalists have been asked to appear before the Crime Branch of Guwahati Police on August 22. The identical summonses, a copy of which is with PTI, stated, "It is revealed that there are reasonable grounds to question you to ascertain the facts and circumstances from you, in relation to the present investigation." The police have not shared any information about the case. Repeated calls made to senior police officials to know about the case remained unanswered. While Varadarajan's summons was received on August 14, Thapar got it on Monday. "Failure to attend/comply with the terms of this notice can render you liable for arrest," the summonsed added. The summonses were issued by Crime Branch Inspector Soumarjyoti Ray, and he referred to an FIR (No.: 03/2025) registered at the Crime Branch under sections 152, 196, 197(1)(D)/3(6), 353, 45 and 61 of the BNS. Section 152 of BNS addresses acts endangering the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India. It effectively replaced Section 124A of the IPC, which was put on hold by the Supreme Court in May 2022.
The Wire
28-07-2025
- Politics
- The Wire
'Israel Guilty of Genocide; A Place I Will Not Want to Call Home': Gershon Baskin
Video Karan Thapar 'They have created a reality in Gaza in which human beings cannot live. That is genocide. And that is what Israel is doing in Gaza.' Palestinians mourn during the funeral of people who were killed while trying to reach aid trucks entering northern Gaza through the Zikim crossing with Israel, at Shifa Hospital, in Gaza City, Saturday, July 26, 2025. Photo: AP/PTI Gershon Baskin, the Middle East Director of the International Communities Organization, who is one of the acknowledged and highly regarded voices of conscience in Israel, says: 'If it hasn't become one as yet, Israel is definitely on the fast road to becoming a pariah state'. He says Israelis increasingly feel less welcome wherever they travel. In a 25-minute interview to Karan Thapar for The Wire, to talk about his recent cri de coeur where he writes 'Israel is rapidly becoming a foreign land to me … a place that I will not want to call home, a place that I cannot call home', Baskin readily admitted and accepted that Israel is guilty of genocide. 'If you read the convention on genocide there's no question that what Israel is doing in Gaza is genocide. We're erasing a civilization. Ninety percent of the people in Gaza have no homes to go back to. They've been destroyed. Israel is now levelling half of Gaza. There are no schools, no universities, no public buildings, no libraries. Mosques are being erased. Churches were hit. Roads, infrastructure, water, electricity. They have created a reality in Gaza in which human beings cannot live. That is genocide. And that is what Israel is doing in Gaza.' The Wire is now on WhatsApp. Follow our channel for sharp analysis and opinions on the latest developments.
The Wire
17-07-2025
- Politics
- The Wire
Bihar's SIR is 'Abrupt, Aggressive, Avoidable and Unfair to Voters': Ashok Lavasa
Government Karan Thapar 'If you get into this territory you run the risk of creating a list of people or a class of people who are neither here nor there and they do lose their right of voting, which is a constitutional right.' In an interview to discuss the special intensive revision of the electoral rolls in Bihar, which seems to grow more controversial every day, a former Election Commissioner has said it is 'abrupt, aggressive, ambitious and, at this point of time, it was avoidable'. During the interview, Ashok Lavasa repeatedly said that aspects of the special intensive revision would be 'unfair' both to voters and the machinery undertaking the task. Lavasa repeatedly said that the Election Commission has established over the last 75 years a workable procedure for enrolling voters and there was no need to suddenly change the procedure when undertaking this special intensive revision in Bihar. He accepted that in previous decades the Election Commission has not sought proof of citizenship before enrolling adult voters. 'If you get into this territory you run the risk of creating a list of people or a class of people who are neither here nor there and they do lose their right of voting which is a constitutional right.' The Wire is now on WhatsApp. Follow our channel for sharp analysis and opinions on the latest developments.
