I-T raids on 2 media groups; bid to stifle democracy: Opposition

New Delhi, July 22

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The Income Tax Department on Thursday conducted raids at multiple locations against two prominent media groups — Dainik Bhaskar and TV channel Bharat Samachar — for alleged tax evasion.

Sources said raids were conducted at Dainik Bhaskar’s headquarters in Bhopal, Raipur, Jaipur, Ahmedabad and Noida and on the premises of Bharat Samachar group, its promoters and staffers in Lucknow. The development led to a war of words between the government and Opposition, with the non-NDA parties terming it an attempt to muzzle dissent. Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur said, “The agencies are doing their own work and there is no interference.”

Rahul Gandhi tweeted, “Writing the truth on paper with ink is enough to intimidate a weak government.” Party spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi asked whether the raids were pre-planned or a coincidence after the group put out some stories critical of the government.

SAD chief Sukbhir Singh Badal tweeted, “The government needs to understand that such vindictive actions to gag the media have no place in a democracy.”— TNS

Agencies doing their job. Anurag Thakur, I&B Minister

Highlights dangerous, draconian nature of govt. Congress

Yet another brutal bid to stifle democracy. Mamata Banerjee, TMC

It’s an attempt to scare the media. Arvind Kejriwal,AAP

Brutal attempt to curtail press freedom. Sukhbir Badal,SAD