IJU Condemns Arrest of Journalist Tushar Kharat, Demands Immediate Release

KalimNews, March 13, 2025, Kalimpong :  The Indian Journalists Union (IJU) has strongly condemned the arrest of Tushar Kharat, the editor of the local YouTube channel Lay Bhari, who was detained by Satara police in Mumbai on March 9. Kharat's arrest came after a complaint was lodged by Maharashtra's State Rural Development Minister, Jaykumar Gore, accusing the journalist of publishing defamatory content about him. 

The complaint alleged that Kharat uploaded material that falsely portrayed Gore in connection with a 2016 case and claimed that the journalist had threatened to "fabricate" more allegations with the help of women, demanding Rs 5 crore to resolve the issue.

The charges against Gore, who recently faced opposition calls for his resignation, stem from accusations of harassment, including sending objectionable photos to a woman. Gore has denied all allegations, and as part of his defense, he filed breach of privilege notices against several political figures, including Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut, NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar, and Kharat, accusing them of defaming him.

In response to the arrest, IJU President Geetartha Pathak, a former member of the Press Council of India, and Secretary General Sabina Inderjit, who also serves as Vice President of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), issued a joint statement. They emphasized that Kharat's report was based on allegations made in the Maharashtra state assembly by opposition leaders, and as such, his arrest for publishing a story related to proceedings within the assembly is unjustifiable. They further argued that accusations of breach of privilege against a journalist for reporting on public matters are unacceptable.

The IJU leaders have called for the immediate release of Tushar Kharat and demanded that all charges against him be dropped. They urged the government to uphold the freedom of the press and ensure that journalists can report without fear of retaliation.

Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (UBT) mouthpiece Saamana criticized the Maharashtra government, alleging an assault on democratic norms. The editorial called for Gore’s resignation and accused the government of suppressing dissent.

According to the editorial, Kharat was arrested and booked in two cases: one for allegedly making casteist remarks against Shekhar Patole, an aide of Gore, and another for conspiring to defame Gore by raising sexual assault allegations and demanding money. Saamana questioned whether Maharashtra was under an undeclared Emergency, alleging media censorship and political misuse of law enforcement.

The editorial further criticized Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, alleging that his administration was shielding ministers accused of misconduct. It suggested that instead of addressing allegations, Gore misused his power to have Kharat arrested and implicated in multiple cases to keep him in jail. The paper demanded accountability from Fadnavis in the state legislature and questioned whether Maharashtra was becoming a state where truth-telling journalists were silenced.

Saamana highlighted Maharashtra’s legacy of fearless journalism and expressed concern that Kharat’s arrest marked a departure from democratic values. It called upon political leaders and citizens to oppose such actions and uphold press freedom. The editorial also referenced past instances of police misuse and drew parallels with other controversial political arrests, calling for a robust opposition response.

The arrest has sparked widespread debate, with press freedom advocates arguing that it sets a dangerous precedent. The case continues to draw attention, with demands for Kharat’s release intensifying amid growing concerns over the suppression of journalistic integrity in Maharashtra.