An Indian news magazine revealed that the Modi government has demanded the deletion of an online report implicating soldiers in the torture and killing of civilians in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
The report, originally published by The Caravan, an esteemed Indian news magazine and later reproduced by the US-based media outlet Barron’s, today, shed light on the deaths of three Kashmiri civilians who were detained by the Indian army in December.
The official order from the information ministry mandated the removal of The Caravan’s story within a mere 24 hours. While The Caravan has expressed intentions to contest this order, the specifics of the directive remain undisclosed. However, it is a known fact that three Kashmiris were tortured to death in Indian army’s custody, and the story is all about these tragic deaths in the occupied territory.
According to the report “Screams from the Army Post”, those detainees who were able to survive endured torture, substantiated by leaked footage depicting physical abuse by Indian troops. The footage was widely circulated on social media platforms.
The takedown order against Caravan reflects broader concerns about press freedom in India, particularly online censorship. The Modi government has faced criticism for restricting critical reporting, contributing to India’s decline in press freedom rankings.
In response, local digital rights groups highlight the increasing censorship imposed on internet speech in India. Prateek Waghre of the Internet Freedom Foundation noted that such actions target reporting inconvenient for the government.
India’s fall in press freedom rankings underscores the challenges faced by journalists reporting on sensitive issues, especially in conflict zones like Kashmir.—KMS
