India saw 134 instances of free speech violations this year: Report

At least 134 instances of free speech violations have been reported in the country between January and April, according to a study by the Free Speech Collective published on Wednesday.

The collective monitors, documents and analyses violations of free speech. It also provides support and solidarity to individuals and organisations that face attacks on their freedom of expression.

The free speech violations cited in the report include harassment, attacks, arrests and censorship imposed on journalists, academics, YouTubers, students and other citizens. Instances of legal action and threats against persons and cases of internet shutdowns have also been included among violations of free speech.

According to the report, 34 journalists have been attacked in the country since the beginning of the year.

Among those attacked was journalist Nikhil Wagle, who was chased by a mob on February 9, 2024, when he was on his way to a public meeting in Pune, accompanied by activist Vishwambhar Choudhary and human rights lawyer Asim Sarode. Bharatiya Janata Party workers had thrown ink on the journalist’s car, mobbed and vandalised it at Pune’s Khandoji Baba Chowk.

The report said that a day before the attack on Wagle, 10 journalists were assaulted by a mob in Uttarakhand’s Haldwani, where tensions flared up after the demolition of the Mariyam mosque and the Abdul...

Read more