One raid on NewsClick, and the “Tukde Tukde Gang” goes berserk!

Raid on NewsClick: Indian liberals are a real treat to watch, aren’t they? Just a single move from the government, and they start howling like the world is about to end! The recent raid on NewsClick, a news outlet known for its association with journalist-cum-propagandist Abhisar Sharma, have set off a new round of lamentations among these “liberals.” But what’s really behind their uproar?

Let’s get one thing straight – the “liberals” who are whining today aren’t upset because India’s democracy is supposedly under threat. No, their distress stems from the fact that certain members of the journalist community, who have peddled their paid propaganda while pretending to be neutral and champions of press freedom, are now under investigation and facing exposure for what they truly are – pens for hire.

Take, for instance, Rohini Singh, who initiated the whining fest with her melodramatic tweet on X (formerly Twitter): “Journalists raided by the police, laptops and phones taken away because journalism is the biggest crime in new India.” Well, that’s quite the exaggeration, isn’t it?

Journalists raided by the police, laptops and phones taken away because journalism is the biggest crime in new India.
— Rohini Singh (@rohini_sgh) October 3, 2023

Also read: Leftist news portal NewsClick laundered crores of cash for Navlakha, a CPI(M) member and other Maoists

But Rohini aunty wasn’t alone in her lament. The notorious propagandist Arfa Khanum Sherwani chimed in, saying, “Mother of democracy, anyone? In early morning raids on homes of several journalists, stand-up comics, satirists, and commentators, Delhi police has started interrogations in matters ‘related to terror links’!” It seems like someone took it real personal.

Mother of democracy, anyone ?
In early morning raids on homes of several journalists, stand-up comics, satirists and commentators, Delhi police has started interrogations in matters “related to terror links” https://t.co/pBw293hvYE
— Arfa Khanum Sherwani (@khanumarfa) October 3, 2023

Then there’s the world-famous journalist Rajdeep Sardesai, who apparently “moonlights” as a boxer at Madison Square. He declared, “Breaking story this morning: Delhi police special cell raid homes of several journalists/writers associated with Newsclick website. Take away mobiles and laptops… interrogation on. No warrant/FIR shown yet. Since when did journalists become state ‘enemies’ in a democracy?” Well, Rajdeep, it’s not about being an enemy; it’s about being accountable.

Breaking story this morning: Delhi police special cell raids homes of several journalists/writers associated with Newsclick website. Take away mobiles and laptops.. interrogation on. No warrant/FIR shown yet. Since when did journalists become state ‘enemies’ in a democracy?
— Rajdeep Sardesai (@sardesairajdeep) October 3, 2023

And of course, we can’t forget Pratik Sinha, the co-founder of the “fake news peddler in chief” known as Alt News. He added his voice to the chorus, saying, “How can you target journalists/contributors associated with Newsclick? This Government is crossing all limits.” It seems he conveniently forgot what his own ilk did to individuals like Nupur Sharma.

How can you target journalists/contributors associated with Newsclick? This Government is crossing all limits.
— Pratik Sinha (@free_thinker) October 3, 2023

Now, let’s get to the heart of the matter. The individuals currently being raided have a long history of spreading anti-India propaganda. They haven’t been prosecuted for their opinions or views, and these raids aren’t some whimsical decisions by the Indian government to go after journalists.

The crux of the matter is that these individuals are connected to NewsClick, an organization that is under scrutiny for allegedly accepting money from a hostile nation – China – to propagate its state-sponsored agenda in India. Interestingly, even Pakistani politicians have begun rallying behind the accused, even as investigations are ongoing. This certainly raises eyebrows and suggests that those being raided might not be as innocent as they claim to be.

Rajdeep, before jumping the gun to defend journalists belonging to #NewsClick for alleged Chinese funding under UAPA, please wait for the evidence, the investigating agencies must have evidence for their crime which will be presented before the court of law. We're still a… https://t.co/syR7vS9jeJ
— Shesh Paul Vaid (@spvaid) October 3, 2023

Also read: The New York Times vs. Abhisar Sharma: Unmasking the Chinese connection

In fact, an investigation by The New York Times in August 2023 uncovered a web of activist organizations, non-profits, shell corporations, and their close ties to China and Chinese propaganda. Notably, Neville Roy Singham was at the center of this network. The article revealed, “What is less known, and is hidden amid a tangle of nonprofit groups and shell companies, is that Mr. Singham works closely with the Chinese government media machine and is financing its propaganda worldwide.”

So, as the drama unfolds, all we need to do is grab a tub of popcorn and enjoy the meltdown of the Tukde Tukde Gang. It seems that times are getting tough for them, and their outrage is reaching new heights.