By Mohammad Tarique Saleem
Recently, journalist Ajit Anjum released a video on his YouTube channel, addressing a growing trend on Twitter demanding his arrest under the National Security Act (NSA). In this video, he responded strongly to the smear campaign targeting him and other independent journalists like Ravish Kumar, Punya Prasoon Vajpayee, Abhisar Sharma Sakshi Joshi etc., where they were being labeled as “dalals” (agents or sell-outs) and calls were being made for their arrest.
Ajit Anjum explained in the video how a coordinated trend on Twitter is maligning the names of several senior journalists. He mentioned that hashtags demanding their arrest under NSA are being circulated widely, calling them “traitors” and “dalals.” He criticized this movement as a direct assault on democracy and the freedom of expression. According to him, this is part of a larger, organized effort to silence voices that ask uncomfortable questions to those in power.
Anjum also highlighted increasing hostility toward journalists. He spoke about a recent court case in Gurugram, where a judge framed charges under the POCSO Act against him in a matter involving a morphed video of an 11-year-old girl. When he stepped out of the courtroom, journalists tried to question him about the case. Instead of responding, he refused to answer and accused the journalists themselves of being biased or compromised. This moment, too, went viral on social media.
Ajit Anjum stressed that independent journalism is under serious threat in today’s India. He pointed out that journalists who dare to question the government or the establishment are being branded as “anti-national” or corrupt. He warned that this is a dangerous trend that could have dire consequences for democratic society. He urged the public to recognize these patterns and stand up in defense of press freedom.
Ajit Anjum’s latest video delivers a powerful message about the erosion of press freedom and the growing intolerance toward dissent in India. The social media trend calling for his and other journalists’ arrest is not just a personal attack but an attack on the very fabric of democratic values. His call is clear: citizens must rise above political bias and protect the rights of independent journalists to speak truth to power. Standing in solidarity with journalism is not just about supporting individuals it’s about protecting the voice of democracy itself.
