Harassment, Intimidation, Dictatorship Of Modi Govt: Twitter Reacts To IT ‘Surveys’ At The Quint’s Office And Founders’ Residence
Several users accused the BJP govt of misusing government machinery.
The Income Tax Department on Thursday morning carried out “surveys” at media entrepreneur Raghav Bahl’s residence in Noida and the offices of The Quint and The News Minute. IT officials also asked for a list of employees at The Quint and their contact details, apart from books of accounts and other revenue information.
Also read: IT Department ‘Surveys’ Raghav Bahl’s House, The Quint And The News Minute Offices
Some Twitter users pointed out that The Quint had recently criticised the Modi government over issues such as GST and fuel prices, and the ‘surveys’ might be a retaliation for the same. Many accused the BJP government at the Centre of misusing agencies such as the IT department, Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Enforcement Directorate (ED) to intimidate media houses.
I.T raids on @TheQuint offices and its founder @Raghav_Bahl home are cause for serious concern. Taxman has the right to ask all questions, but raids look like intimidation. If there is justification, govt must explain quickly. Or it will be seen as targeting critical media.
— Shekhar Gupta (@ShekharGupta) October 11, 2018
There is “Jumla” in Income Tax Act- circumstantial evidence. Yes, the circumstantial evidence is @Raghav_Bahl @TheQuint’s independent and fearless journalism. That’s why IT search & survey @TheQuint. See our coverage and decide for yourself.
— Sanjay Pugalia (@sanjaypugalia) October 11, 2018
After Income Tax Department raids on Raghav Bahl’s home and offices of Quint in Noida, survey on the office of NewsMinute, Enforcement Directorate raids on Greenpeace India and Direct Dialogue Initiatives in Bengaluru, who is next on the list? Do you see the pattern?
— ParanjoyGuhaThakurta (@paranjoygt) October 11, 2018
No doubt that Quint & Raghav Bahl are being raided by the IT Dept only because they have been critical of the govt & in order to intimidate the media. IT, ED & CBI are being misused by this govt like never before https://t.co/S8OteLrpdU
— Prashant Bhushan (@pbhushan1) October 11, 2018
After Pranoy Roy, now @Raghav_Bahl is targeted. Raghav is one of the most credible media personalities. Now he is paying the price for being anti-establishment, criticising Modi Govt.
— ashutosh (@ashutosh83B) October 11, 2018
In absence of any convincing reason which we’ve not been told, tax raids on @Raghav_Bahl who is a fierce & sensible critic of @narendramodi govt can only be seen as harassment and intimidation. These tactics reminiscent of tin pot dictarotships not well functioning democracies. https://t.co/jm72ZyDs9F
— Rupa Subramanya (@rupasubramanya) October 11, 2018
No one in India is allowed to criticize Modi – No one! https://t.co/PJ1G4prOI8 via @ndtv
— Ashok Swain (@ashoswai) October 11, 2018
If you read @Raghav_Bahl articles over the last few months, you would understand why this attack on @TheQuint
And they say this is not emergency? https://t.co/4fyUcNv8lW
— Yogendra Yadav (@_YogendraYadav) October 11, 2018
What’s happening with The Quint and Raghav Bahl is pure vendetta… It is really sad that not even jounros, big names care to stand up for own people.
Just remember……. Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.
— Sumit Kashyap (@sumitkashyapjha) October 11, 2018
More power to @Raghav_Bahl, @kapur_ritu, and the entire @TheQuint team. On the face of it, this is an attack on #PressFreedom. Cloning Kapur’s journalistic work is a gross violation of journalistic freedom.
— Kunal Majumder (@kunalmajumder) October 11, 2018
Raids on @Raghav_Bahl are actually threats to other media owners. Govt wants to tell them that you too will meet same fate if criticized us.
This govt is surviving on just PROPOGANDA. Once the all media starts doing its real job, to question, this govt will collapse !!
— amey tirodkar (@ameytirodkar) October 11, 2018