New Delhi: Congress MP Rahul Gandhi has opposed the Income Tax raids on various Dainik Bhaskar offices. He has targeted the Modi government for this. Rahul Gandhi tweeted, "Writing the truth in ink on paper is enough to scare a weak government. #RaidOnFreePress”
The Income Tax Department on Thursday raided the premises of media group Dainik Bhaskar located in various cities on charges of tax evasion. Official sources said that the raids are being conducted in Bhopal, Jaipur, Ahmedabad, and some other places.
No official information has been received from the department or its policy-making body, but according to official sources, this action is also against the promoters of Hindi media groups operating in different states.
Opposition Targets Government
These raids have been criticised by all the opposition parties. TMC chief Mamata Banerjee tweeted saying, "Attack on journalists and media houses is yet another brutal attempt to crush democracy. Dainik Bhaskar bravely exposed how Narendra Modi handled the entire COVID-19 crisis and took the country through its worst days in the midst of a terrible pandemic. I strongly condemn this vengeful act aimed at stifling the voices that bring forth the truth."
At the same time, Nawab Malik, a cabinet minister in the Maharashtra government, said that ever since the Pegasus espionage case came into the limelight, the central government has started targeting those who are exposing them. The latest victim is Dainik Bhaskar.
What Government Said
Amid allegations by opposition parties, the government on Thursday said that the agencies do their job and "we have no interference in their work." This is what Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur said in response to questions from reporters. The Union Minister called for complete information to be obtained. Oftentimes, in the absence of information, things are said that are far from the truth.