Punjab’s Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government has been met with strong criticism and accusations of censorship. This follows a widespread delay in newspaper deliveries across the state on Sunday morning, caused by police checks on vehicles carrying newspapers during the intervening night of Saturday and Sunday.
The Punjab Police later issued a statement explaining that the vehicle checks were conducted based on specific intelligence inputs regarding anti-national activities and the smuggling of contraband, arms, and explosives. They asserted that the checks were carried out under supervision and with minimal inconvenience to the public.
However, opposition parties, including the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Congress, and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), have strongly condemned the move. They allege it is a direct attack on the media. Congress leaders Amrinder Singh Raja Warring and Partap Singh Bajwa criticized the actions as a threat to press freedom, with Bajwa likening it to a “chilling attack.” SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal suggested the government was trying to suppress unfavorable news, vowing to oppose such “dictatorial actions.”
BJP’s state working president, Ashwini Sharma, went further, calling it an “undeclared Emergency” imposed by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. He linked the incident to recent news reports concerning the “Sheesh Mahal 2.0” allegations against the AAP government.
The “Sheesh Mahal 2.0” controversy stems from BJP’s allegations that AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal is enjoying a luxurious state-provided accommodation in Punjab, similar to a previous controversy surrounding his residence in Delhi.
Police’s Explanation
According to the Punjab Police statement, the state is under threat from Pakistan’s ISI, which uses various means, including drones, to smugly drugs, arms, and explosives. The police highlighted that “anti-national forces have been innovative in changing their modus operandi.” They reiterated their commitment to maintaining an “active and energetic internal security grid” while conducting checks diligently.
Chandigarh Press Club’s Stance
The Chandigarh Press Club expressed strong condemnation, stating that the police action of stopping newspaper vehicles in various districts of Punjab was an “attack on press freedom” and an attempt to control the “free flow of information.” The club urged the Punjab government to ensure the unimpeded distribution of newspapers and uphold the fundamental right to press freedom.