In a move that has sparked controversy and raised concerns about press freedom, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has ordered The Caravan, a prominent online news magazine, to remove a story detailing alleged torture of civilians by the Indian army in Jammu and Kashmir.
The story, titled "Screams from the Army Post" by Jatinder Kaur Tur, has been directed to be taken down within 24 hours under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act.
The article delves into the deaths of three civilians who were taken for questioning by the Rashtriya Rifles regiment of the Indian Army following an ambush by terrorists in the Poonch-Rajouri area.
The journalist's investigation describes in harrowing detail the torture inflicted by the army, including electrocution, even on individuals who were working as informers for the army. The families of Safeer, Shabeer, and Shaukat, the three men allegedly murdered by the army in Topa Peer, on 22 December, were interviewed for the story.
According to The Caravan, editors of the magazine were summoned by the ministry on February 12 and informed that the story posed a threat to national security. They were instructed to remove both the text and video formats of the story within the stipulated time frame.
The magazine has stated its intention to comply with the order while simultaneously challenging it in court. Failure to comply, as per the ministry's warning, could result in the blocking of the entire website.
In an official announcement shared on a social media platform, The Caravan informed its readers about the government's directive, emphasizing that the order was deemed "confidential."
The magazine asserted its intention to contest the order, signalling a potential legal battle over freedom of expression and the role of the press in reporting on sensitive issues.
The ministry's decision has drawn criticism from various quarters, with many expressing concerns about censorship and the implications for investigative journalism.
The incident has reignited debates about the balance between national security interests and the public's right to access information, particularly in conflict-ridden regions like Jammu and Kashmir.