New Delhi: A takedown notice issued by Kolkata Police against a video shared by journalist Shams Tabrez Qasmi has triggered fresh concerns over press freedom and selective targeting of independent media voices in India.
The controversy began after Kolkata Police sent a notice to social media platform X seeking removal of a video posted by Qasmi, editor-in-chief of Millat Times. The video reportedly showed violence and unrest following the recent West Bengal assembly election results.
According to the notice, police described the video and commentary as “misleading” and “provocative,” alleging that the content had the potential to disturb public order, inflame communal tensions and trigger violence. Authorities invoked Section 79(3)(b) of the Information Technology Act along with Rule 3(1)(d) of the IT Rules.
The police action drew criticism from journalists, digital rights activists and free speech advocates. Critics argued that terms such as “misleading” and “threat to public order” give authorities broad powers that are often selectively enforced against independent journalists.
No direct criminal case against Qasmi has been publicly announced. Instead, authorities approached X to restrict the content. Critics described this as part of a growing trend where controversial reporting faces quiet online censorship without open legal proceedings.
Qasmi said he learned about the notice through an email from X. Responding publicly, he accused authorities of attempting to suppress independent journalism and questioned why his account was singled out when several others had allegedly shared the same footage.
He referred to journalist Sagarika Ghose and leaders linked with the All India Trinamool Congress, claiming they also posted the identical video without facing similar action.
As debate intensified online, many users backed Qasmi with the slogan “Journalism Is Not A Crime,” calling the notice an attempt to intimidate journalists reporting on politically sensitive violence.
By Naushad Khan
