Kashmiri Journalist and analyst criticized Modi’s role against Indian media and its freedom of expression terming Modi’s repressive media policies as deterioration for Kashmiri journalism.

In an article Published in New York Times, Executive Editor of The Kashmir Times Anuradha Bhasin said that Modi regime is intimidating media outlets into serving as government mouthpieces and creating an information vacuum in the region of about 13 million people.

She said Modi is taking steps that could replicate this disturbing model on a national scale and his Hindu-chauvinist movement has already put severe pressure on India’s once-rambunctious press, with journalists surveilled and jailed.

Anuradha Bhasin writes that the government using strong-arm tactics against media outlets to ensure favorable coverage.

She said that the rest of India may end up looking a lot like Kashmir.

In 2019, Indian government abruptly revoked Kashmir’s autonomous status without public input from the territory’s people and sent in thousands of troops and shut down internet access which lasted nearly six months. 

She said journalists in Kashmir are working under a cloud of fear, Journalism has always been hazardous in Kashmir .

The Editor Kashmir Times said media stands as one of the last remaining institutions capable of preventing India’s descent into authoritarianism.

But if Mr. Modi succeeds in introducing the Kashmir model of information control to the rest of the country, it won’t be just press freedom that is at risk, but Indian democracy itself.