Prominent Punjab politician Fatehjung Singh Bajwa unleashed a scathing attack on the state government, labeling its media handling as blatant authoritarianism. During a fiery address to reporters, he stated unequivocally that operating with impunity is neither right nor sustainable.
Drawing from his extensive political career, Bajwa recounted patterns of government overreach. ‘From veiled threats to outright harassment, the administration is crossing red lines,’ he said, citing anonymous sources within media houses confirming the clampdown. This comes against a backdrop of investigative reports that have embarrassed officials on corruption and policy failures.
Punjab’s media landscape is under siege, with at least half a dozen outlets reporting similar pressures in the past month. Bajwa criticized the lack of protective mechanisms, demanding an independent probe into these allegations. He also connected the dots to electoral strategies, suggesting the moves aim to control narratives ahead of key polls.
Reactions poured in swiftly. Allies in the opposition camp rallied behind Bajwa, while ruling party spokespersons dismissed the claims as ‘politically motivated.’ Independent watchdogs have called for transparency in government-media interactions.
Bajwa wrapped up his statement with a call to action for journalists: ‘Stand firm; your voice is the public’s shield.’ This standoff underscores deeper fault lines in Punjab’s democracy, where freedom of expression hangs in the balance. Observers predict heightened scrutiny from national media as the story unfolds.