The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Madhya Pradesh came under sharp attack from the Congress on Sunday after a local journalist’s home was allegedly set on fire.
The incident occurred on April 4 in the Panwar Chouhanan Tola area under the Jamodi police station when the reporter and YouTuber Ravi Kumar Pandey and his family were home, the police said.
Sidhi Superintendent of Police Ravindra Verma told The Hindu that an FIR has been filed based on a complaint from Mr. Pandey’s uncle, and a probe has been initiated.
‘Received a threat’
Sharing a video of the incident on Facebook, Mr. Pandey said he had received a threat and suspects four people.
“I wanted to name them in the FIR, but the police convinced my uncle against it, saying you would not get any compensation,” he claimed.
Even as the police insisted that the incident was unrelated to Mr. Pandey’s journalism, top Congress leaders took to X to slam the government over the issue.
“This is a brutal attack on freedom of expression and is proof of the breakdown of law and order in the State,” wrote former Chief Minister Kamal Nath.
“Anarchy in Madhya Pradesh has crossed its peak. Along with the poor, labourers, deprived, exploited, Dalits, tribals and women, now even the media is being openly attacked,” said Congress State chief Jitu Patwari.
Published - April 07, 2025 01:26 am IST
