‘Saamana’ attacks Maharashtra govt over journalist’s arrest, asks Devendra Fadnavis to sack minister Jaykumar Gore

The paper said Kharat’s arrest raises the question of whether there is an undeclared Emergency in Maharashtra and media censorship. ”Has the government issued a directive that if anyone makes any allegations of corruption, rape and goondaism against ruling party leaders and ministers, the journalists should ignore such allegations?” the paper asked.

“Has Chief Minister Devendra Fadanvis given ministers the licence to behave as they want and threaten those who speak the truth? The chief minister should reply to these questions in the state legislature,” the editorial said.

The paper stated that although Fadnavis is the chief minister of Maharashtra, several criminals hold positions in his Cabinet. “Law enforcement and the police are responding to the demands of these criminals,” it said.

The editorial criticised Gore, a minister from Satara, for allegedly crossing the boundaries of proper governance. It claimed, “Misusing his power and the police force, he has falsely charged journalist Kharat, who exposed the minister’s wrongdoings, and as a result, he was arrested. Instead of the minister facing the consequences, the police have filed multiple false cases against the journalist. Does Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis support this government-sponsored mob rule by the minister?” it asked.

‘Jaykumar Gore misled legislature’

Kharat’s arrest came days after Gore moved a breach of privilege motion in the Assembly, accusing Opposition leaders and the journalist of maliciously reviving a dismissed case.

Saamana, however, stated Gore had misled the state legislature about his acquittal in a case. ”The minister had apologised to the woman and sought withdrawal of the case against him… When the minister said I would not trouble you henceforth, only then she withdrew the case… The minister had told a lie to the state legislature. The woman will hold a hunger strike in front of the Raj Bhavan,” the paper said.

The paper said misuse of police force is happening across Maharashtra. ”The minister’s behaviour is similar to Walmik Karad of Beed. Karad is in jail, and the minister should also be in jail,” he said.

Saamana said Kharat had exposed several wrongdoings in the Satara district. “If Kharat has done anything wrong, then the law should take its own course. A defamation suit can be filed against him. However, the minister straightway brought in a privilege motion against Kharat and got him arrested. The minister got several cases filed against Kharat so that he would never be released from jail. To target a young journalist in this manner, it is absolutely reprehensible,” the paper said.

The editorial highlighted Maharashtra’s rich legacy of icons such as Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Gopal Ganesh Agarkar, Balshastri Jambhekar, and Acharya Atre. It stated, “In this same Maharashtra, a young journalist has been imprisoned for speaking the truth. Thus, this Maharashtra no longer belongs to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj but to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Those who criticise the prime minister have been jailed.”

The editorial stated that if the Opposition still has strength, it will seek the journalist’s arrest in the state legislature, complicating matters for the government.

Saamana said there are two descendants of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Satara. ”Are they going remain silent over the illegal arrest of a young journalist?” it asked.

“If writing and speaking the truth is a crime, then Maharashtra will become a state of deaf and dumb like Gujarat. The minister has exposed himself and the chief minister as well,” it said.