MOHALI: Senior Congress leader and former Health Minister Balbir Singh Sidhu strongly condemned the repressive policy being adopted by the Aam Aadmi Party government in Punjab against independent media institutions, including the Punjab Kesari Group. He said that through continuous pressure, threats, and misuse of government agencies, attempts are being made to harass the media, which is a direct attack on democratic values.
Sidhu said that fear of a free press exposes the insecurity of those in power. The actions of the Punjab government prove that it is afraid of truth, neutrality, and the voice of the people. A government that has confidence in its own work never tries to suppress the media.
He said that the Aam Aadmi Party came to power with the slogan of “change, ” but today the reality is that in Punjab, every voice raised against its failures is being systematically crushed. This attitude is extremely dangerous for democratic traditions and can have far-reaching consequences.
Sidhu said that the Aam Aadmi Party government in Punjab has forgotten the oath of the Constitution. Targeting media houses, creating an atmosphere of fear through government agencies, and trying to criminalize criticism is a clear violation of democratic values. He said that this is the same party that used to speak of press freedom in Delhi, but as soon as it came to power in Punjab, it chose the path of repression.
Warning the government, Sidhu said that by misusing state power and government agencies, the truth may be suppressed for some time, but it can never be defeated.
Sidhu said that the Punjab government is resorting to pressurizing the media to divert attention from its failures—be it the deteriorating law and order situation, the growing menace of drugs, unemployment, or inflation. Instead of answering questions, the government wants to silence those who ask them, which reflects a dictatorial mindset. He said this approach is not only a threat to the media, but a danger bell for every citizen of Punjab who has the courage to speak the truth.
Sidhu said that a government which fears its own people, honest questions, and newspaper headlines can never provide Punjab with a secure future. These repressive policies are exposing the double face of the Aam Aadmi Party, and the people of Punjab are ready to give it a fitting reply.
He made it clear that the Congress Party stands with full strength to protect press freedom, because a free media is the strongest pillar of democracy. Congress will oppose every attempt being made to weaken the independence of the media, truth, and democracy.