Saurav Das, fresh from a preventive arrest during the ongoing anti-CEC protests, claimed the Indian government is currently waging war on independent journalism. Speaking to reporters on Sunday alongside other party members, Das labeled the current climate an "Emergency Moment for Journalists," directly comparing the atmosphere to the 1975 dictatorial regime. He pointed a finger at PM Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, asking why the state is so desperate to shield CEC Gyanesh Kumar from scrutiny.
The accusation centers on the handling of the October 10 Delhi clampdown. Das alleged that right-wing extremist groups were flown into the capital to create chaos, a move designed to distract from the core issue of electoral misconduct. He insisted the entire operation serves one purpose: saving Gyanesh Kumar. "Did he know anything about the 2024 Varanasi Lok Sabha election?" Das demanded, implying Kumar possessed critical knowledge about how BJP-led states manage votes.
Das detailed a harrowing sequence of events during his detention, claiming Delhi Police forcibly boarded his plane to "kidnap" him. He stated that officers seized his smartphone without issuing a formal seizure memo. This lack of procedural compliance led Das to suspect his device was cloned or hacked. He warned that the state may be planting documents on his phone to fabricate evidence for future legal proceedings against activists.
The CJP co-convener rejected the narrative that these actions are standard law enforcement. He argued that an atmosphere of fear is being deliberately cultivated across the nation. Das challenged the government to explain why one bureaucrat requires such extreme protective measures, suggesting the crackdown is a preemptive strike against dissent.
The legal battle over the anti-CEC protests is set to intensify. As Das and other detained leaders file complaints regarding the seizure of digital evidence, the Centre faces mounting pressure to justify the use of preventive detention under the UAPA. The next court hearing on these civil liberty violations is expected next week, where the validity of the police seizure procedures will be the primary point of contention.