Minister Parimal Suklabaidya says it’s “undeclared state emergency” in Maharashtra; Posts, “Arnab we are with you”

Republic TV editor-in-chief Arnab Goswami has been arrested from his residence in Mumbai and reactions have started to pour in from all spheres.

Forest and Environment, Fisheries and Excise Minister, Government of Assam Parimal Suklabaidya has directly blamed the Government of Maharashtra. “Highly condemnable on part of Maharashtra govt to act such cowardly against Arnab Goswami,” said Suklabaidya.

He added, “This is a direct collapse of the fourth pillar of democracy.” He goes on to post on his social media, “UNDECLARED STATE OF EMERGENCY” while explaining the situation in Maharashtra.

According to the Press Trust Of India report, Republic TV Editor-in-Chief Arnab Goswami arrested for allegedly abetting the suicide of a 53-year-old interior designer.

The PTI report quoted an official from Mumbai Police saying a team of Alibaug police picked up Goswami from his residence here.

In 2018, an architect Anvay Naik and his mother Kumud Naik committed suicide over alleged non-payment of dues by Goswami’s Republic TV, PTI quoted the official saying.

In May this year, Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh had announced that a re-investigation has been ordered on a fresh complaint by Adnya Naik, daughter of the architect Anvay Naik.

Deshmukh had said Adnya alleged that the Alibaug police had not investigated the alleged non-payment of dues from Goswami’s channel, which she claimed drove her father and grandmother to suicide in May 2018.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar was one of the first ones to comment on the arrest. “We condemn the attack on press freedom in #Maharashtra. This is not the way to treat the Press. This reminds us of the emergency days when the press was treated like this.”

Silchar MP, Rajdeep Roy also tweeted, “The action on #ArnabGoswami by Mumbai Police is Shameful to say the least ! Smacks of #Emergency days in #Mumbai!”

Health, Finance and Education Minister of Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma’s tweet read, “Editor-in-Chief Arnab Goswami physically assaulted & arrested by Mumbai police is nothing but muzzling freedom of press by the vindictive M’rashtra govt. Strongly condemn this shameless politically motivated Mumbai police action. It’s like Emergency days in Maharashtra.”

Others who reacted on Arban Goswami’s arrest on social media-

A Black Day for Indian demoracy.

I strongly condemn the assault on senior journalist #ArnabGoswami by Mumbai police. Vendetta politics should be stopped and freedom of press should be maintained in Maharashtra by releasing Mr Goswami immediately.

— Sarbananda Sonowal (@sarbanandsonwal) November 4, 2020

Those in the free press who don’t stand up today in support of Arnab, you are now tactically in support of fascism. You may not like him, you may not approve of him,you may despise his very existence but if you stay silent you support suppression. Who speaks if you are next ?

— Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) November 4, 2020

Although emergency was defeated in 1977,the mentality is still alive!Today,supporters of emergency-Congress&Shivsena displaying the same undemocratic brutality to crush any voice of dissent.India has always fought such forces&struggle will continue.#EmergencyInMaharashtra#Arnab

— Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) November 4, 2020

How can you false arrest someone just because you don't like him?
Remember, Indians will fight back againt this kind of draconian act.
I condemn the forceful arrest of Journalist #ArnabGoswami

This is fascist intolerance towards freedom of expression.

— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) November 4, 2020