Senior journalist and Sagarika Ghose has criticised the Narendra Modi-led government over reported action against social media accounts linked to the controversial “Cockroach Janta Party” digital movement, calling it an attack on youth-led dissent and free expression online.
In a sharp post on X, Ghose said it was “hardly surprising” that a government headed by a Prime Minister who “has not done a single press conference in 12 years” would move against what she described as a spontaneous and fast-growing platform of public dissent. She alleged that the ruling establishment was unsettled by the growing popularity of the movement among young Indians on social media.
The Trinamool Congress MP argued that the crackdown reflected increasing intolerance towards criticism and independent political expression in digital spaces. According to Ghose, the emergence of unconventional online movements showed growing frustration among sections of the youth over unemployment, governance issues and shrinking democratic debate.
The controversy comes amid a wider national debate over free speech, censorship and online political mobilisation, with several opposition voices accusing the Centre of targeting critics and suppressing dissenting narratives on social media platforms.
Supporters of the government, however, have defended action against controversial online groups, arguing that digital platforms cannot be allowed to spread misinformation, abuse or content that could disrupt public order.
The issue has now escalated into a larger political flashpoint, with opposition leaders portraying the move as an attempt to silence rising anti-establishment voices ahead of crucial political battles.
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