Over 20 journalists, mostly in IIOJK, held since BJP came to power in India
ISLAMABAD: As the world marked the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists on Sunday, a new report has revealed alarming levels of repression, intimidation, and violence against journalists in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir and across India under the BJP-led government.
The report said journalists in IIOJK are working under unprecedented duress, routinely subjected to harassment, arrests, and interrogation for reporting the truth. Many have been charged under draconian laws such as the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and the Public Safety Act (PSA), which allow detention without trial. The clampdown, it said, aims to “strangulate the media and suppress ground realities” in the occupied territory.
Since the revocation of Article 370 in 2019, the situation has worsened, with both local and foreign journalists facing surveillance, confiscation of equipment, and travel bans. Foreign correspondents are routinely denied access, while local reporters operate under constant fear. Al Jazeera and other media watchdogs have documented routine police intimidation, including journalists being questioned about their work, sources, and personal lives.
The report cited numerous cases, including the arrests of Aasif Sultan, Fahad Shah, Sajjad Gul, Irfan Mehraj, and Masarrat Zahra, all detained under repressive laws for critical reporting. Many remain imprisoned, while others like Zahra have been forced into exile. Passports of several journalists have been seized to prevent them from travelling abroad.
According to the report, the Indian government’s 2020 “media policy” has made independent journalism nearly impossible in Kashmir, forcing widespread self-censorship. An analysis by The Wire found local newspapers’ editorial content increasingly aligned with pro-BJP narratives, with some articles reportedly generated through AI or lifted from government-linked think tanks.
The pattern extends beyond Kashmir. Since 2014, over 20 journalists have been arrested or killed in India. Recent cases include Rajiv Pratap, an investigative journalist murdered in Uttarakhand in September 2025, and Raghvendra Bajpai, a correspondent shot dead in Uttar Pradesh in March 2025. In Chhattisgarh, freelance journalist Mukesh Chandrakar was found dead after exposing a multi-crore corruption scandal.
The report warned that impunity for crimes against journalists is fueling authoritarianism in India. It urged the international community to pressure New Delhi to end its assault on media freedom and allow journalists in IIOJK to operate without fear. The International Press Institute (IPI) echoed this call, demanding urgent global action to safeguard press freedom and accountability. Staff Report
