Dharna at Bathinda on Jan 24 in Defence of Freedom of Speech and Press

If freedom of expression is to be protected, reach Bathinda on Jan 24: Manik Goyal

Mansa, Jan 24

In protest against the false and non-bailable FIRs registered against RTI activist Manik Goyal and independent journalists, and against the continuous attacks on press freedom, a massive protest demonstration will be held on January 24, in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s Office, Bathinda, against the Punjab Government.

In recent times, actions have been taken to shut down certain channels that had become the voice of independent media, such as ‘Lok Awaaz TV’, which constitute a direct and serious assault on freedom of speech and freedom of the press.

It is noteworthy that RTI activist Manik Goyal had raised a legitimate question before the Punjab Government regarding who was using the government helicopter during the absence of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. This question was publicly covered by journalists. However, instead of providing a logical and transparent answer, the government adopted a policy of vendetta and registered false non-bailable cases against the RTI activist and journalists.

Manik Goyal stated that questioning the use of public resources, especially a government helicopter, is the right and duty of every aware citizen. The actions being taken to suppress such questions are a direct attack on the fourth pillar of democracy ,the press and represent an attempt to silence every voice that speaks against the government’s wrong policies.

In protest against this authoritarian attitude of the government and the muzzling of public voices, journalists and various public organizations have jointly formed a Joint Struggle Committee. The committee has decided to hold a massive protest sit-in on January 24, 2025, in front of the DC Office, Bathinda.

He said that this struggle is not limited to journalists alone, but belongs to every citizen who demands accountability from the government. The freedom of speech and expression guaranteed under the Indian Constitution is being placed under grave threat. The government treasury and government resources are the trust of the people, not the private property of any political leader.

Manik Goyal demanded that all false cases registered against RTI activists and journalists be immediately withdrawn, that the shut-down media channels be restored forthwith, and that the policy of suppressing the people’s voice be ended immediately.

In conclusion, he appealed to all justice-loving people, intellectuals, journalists, and democratic institutions to participate in large numbers in the protest sit-in to be held at Bathinda on January 24, so that freedom of speech, press independence, and democratic values in Punjab can be protected.