Arnab Goswami arrested; BJP criticises the move & compares it with emergency

Nov. 4: Maharashtra Police on Wednesday arrested Republic Media Network’s Editor-in-Chief Arnab Goswami from his residence in Mumbai for allegedly abetting the suicide of 53-year-old interior designer Anvay Naik and his mother in 2018.

Several Union ministers and senior BJP leaders have criticised the Congress over Arnab Goswami’s arrest and called it an “attack on freedom of press”. The Congress is part of the Shiv Sena-led coalition government in Maharashtra.

Home Minister Amit Shah in a tweet on Wednesday wrote, “Congress and its allies have shamed democracy once again. Blatant misuse of state power against Republic TV and Arnab Goswami is an attack on individual freedom and the 4th pillar of democracy. It reminds us of the Emergency. This attack on free press must be and WILL BE OPPOSED.” Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate said she was actually very shocked with the “selective outrage” of the BJP of the sections of the government.

Congress and its allies have shamed democracy once again.

Blatant misuse of state power against Republic TV & Arnab Goswami is an attack on individual freedom and the 4th pillar of democracy.

It reminds us of the Emergency. This attack on free press must be and WILL BE OPPOSED.

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) November 4, 2020

Infact, interior designer Anvay Naik in his suicide note alleged that Arnab Goswami and 2 others had not paid him Rs.5.4 crore, creating serious financial difficulties for him. A re-investigation was ordered after Anvay’s daughter Adnya Naik approached state Home Minister Anil Desmukh in May.

Meanwhile, Arnab Goswami claimed he was manhandled and assaulted by the police at his Mumbai home before being pushed into their van. He also alleged that the police physically assualted his father-in-law, mother-in-law, son and wife.