New Delhi, In a move that has sparked controversy and raised concerns over press freedom in India, the Modi government has directed The Caravan, a prominent Indian news magazine, to delete an online report detailing allegations of torture and killing of civilians by soldiers in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). The report, which was also featured by the US-based media outlet Barron’s, centers on the deaths of three Kashmiri civilians detained by the Indian army in December.

According to Kashmir Media Service, the information ministry issued an order requiring The Caravan to remove the contentious story within 24 hours of notification. The magazine has signaled its intention to challenge the government’s directive, although the details of the order have not been made public. The report titled “Screams from the Army Post” includes accounts of detainees who survived, alleging they were subjected to torture, a claim supported by leaked footage showing physical abuse by Indian troops that went viral on social media.

This incident of governmental censorship is part of a larger pattern of restrictions on press freedom in India, with the country experiencing a decline in global press freedom rankings. Critics argue that the government’s efforts to suppress critical reporting, especially on sensitive matters like the situation in Kashmir, undermine democratic values and restrict the free flow of information.

Digital rights organizations within India have condemned the increasing censorship of internet-based speech, pointing out that such measures are often aimed at silencing reporting that portrays the government in an unfavorable light. Prateek Waghre from the Internet Freedom Foundation commented on the issue, emphasizing the targeted nature of these actions against inconvenient journalism.

The Modi government’s order against The Caravan is a telling example of the challenges faced by journalists and media outlets in India, particularly when reporting on contentious issues such as the conflict in Kashmir. This development has prompted a renewed dialogue on the state of press freedom in India and the importance of protecting the rights of the media to report freely and without fear of retribution.