Kolkata, 23 January (H.S.): Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) IT Cell chief Amit Malviya on Thursday night criticised West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and the state government, alleging that press freedom is under threat and journalists are facing police action for asking questions.

In a post on social media platform ‘X’, Malviya claimed that after one television journalist, another journalist, Kishalay Mukherjee, has been summoned for questioning by the police. He alleged that Mukherjee’s “crime” was asking the Chief Minister whether money from alleged coal smuggling was used during the Goa elections.

Describing the situation in West Bengal as “extremely worrying,” Malviya said that a Chief Minister who deploys the police against journalists instead of answering questions undermines democratic values. He accused Mamata Banerjee of being intolerant of criticism and targeting journalists rather than addressing serious allegations.

The BJP leader further alleged that journalists, YouTubers and professionals from digital media have repeatedly been harassed, intimidated and silenced during the Trinamool Congress government’s tenure for exposing the administration’s failures.

Concluding his post, Malviya claimed that what he described as a “politics of intimidation” will not last forever. He said the people of West Bengal are closely watching developments and will respond during the April–May 2026 period, adding that press freedom would be restored.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey