MUMBAI: Shiv Sena on Thursday slammed BJP for supporting Republic TV editor-in-chief Arnab Goswami and calling his arrest in a 2018 abetment to suicide case an “Emergency-like situation” and “an attack on the freedom of the press.”
An editorial in its mouthpiece ‘Saamana’ said the Fadnavis government had tried to cover up the case to protect Goswami. “A man committed suicide along with his aged mother and his wife is demanding justice and the police is following the law. His (Goswami’s) arrest is not an assault on the fourth pillar of democracy as described by home minister Amit Shah,” it said.
Referring to attacks on the press in BJP-ruled states, the editorial cited the example of a journalist in Gujarat who was arrested for criticising the state government; in UP, it said mediapersons have been killed. “Nobody was told these incidents were reminders of the Emergency. State BJP leaders should demand justice for Anvay Naik, who is a son of the soil,” the Saamana said. Shah had tweeted on Wednesday saying “It reminds us of the Emergency... This attack on free press must be and WILL BE OPPOSED.” The editorial alsodescribed Goswami’s work as “supari” journalism, adding that the BJP should stop grieving for a “nautanki.”