Free expression has deteriorated under Modi’s rule: Writers

Journalists and writers have been sued, intimidated, threatened, and sometimes murdered

Salil Tripathi, Writers in Prison Committee Chair

PUNE — India has witnessed a rising tide of violence, impunity, extended pre-trial detentions, and surveillance under the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led NDA government, PEN International, said on Saturday as it wound up the 84th PEN International Congress with representation from 80 countries in Pune. The International writers body called upon the Indian government to safeguard freedom of expression in the country.

It released a report ‘India: Pursuing truth in the face of intolerance’ that outlines how dissenting voices, by journalists, writers, academics or students “face intimidation, harassment, prosecution, online abuse, and physical violence.”

The report brings together voices of writers, journalists, lawyers and academics, illustrating the varied ways in which critical voices are targeted and silenced.

It highlights “the use of overbroad laws; directed attacks online and offline; the systematic stifling of academic research and freedom; and the continued marginalisation of and hostility towards women’s voices”.

“Laws that stifle speech; an environment hostile to dissenting views; and emboldened critics online and in the real world have cast a chill over free expression in India. Journalists and writers have been sued, intimidated, threatened, and sometimes murdered. There is little political will to amend the laws that prevent free expression or to enforce laws that protect the writer,” said Salil Tripathi, Writers in Prison Committee Chair.

PEN International said in an official statement that it “calls on the Indian authorities to protect its writers, journalists and all others exercising their right to free expression” and to “bring its legislation in line with its obligations under international law”. —