Mumbai Police arrests Arnab Goswami: Here's how political leaders reacted

Union Ministers including Prakash Javadekar and Piyush Goyal condemned the Mumbai Police's action against Republic TV editor-in-chief Arnab Goswami on Wednesday and lashed out at the Maharashtra government.

The journalist has been arrested in the death case of interior designer Anvay Naik, who allegedly died by suicide in Alibaug in May 2018. A suicide note purportedly written by Naik alleged that Goswami had not paid him his dues. Later, Goswami was also named in the FIR of Naik's death case.

A closure report was filed in the case in 2019, but the case was re-opened after Naik's wife Akshata approached the court. In September this year, Home Minister l Deshmukh had ordered re-investigation in the case after a fresh complaint by Naik's daughter Adnya Naik.

"Adnya Naik had complained to me that #AlibaugPolice had not investigated non-payment of dues from #ArnabGoswami's Republic which drove her entrepreneur father & grandmom to suicide in May 2018. I've ordered a CID re-investigation of the case," Deshmukh had tweeted.

Here's how political leaders reacted to Arnab Goswami's arrest: 

Inspired by the @INCIndia’s dark days of emergency when freedom of the #Press was at its nadir, the #maharashtragovt actions against #arnab_goswami are highly deplorable !

Believers of #PressFreedom must come together to fight back this fascism.@DDNewslive@republic#Arnab

— Dr Harsh Vardhan (@drharshvardhan) November 4, 2020

Those in the free press who don’t stand up today in support of Arnab, you are now tactically in support of fascism. You may not like him, you may not approve of him,you may despise his very existence but if you stay silent you support suppression. Who speaks if you are next ?

— Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) November 4, 2020

We condemn the attack on press freedom in #Maharashtra. This is not the way to treat the Press. This reminds us of the emergency days when the press was treated like this.@PIB_India@DDNewslive@republic

— Prakash Javadekar (@PrakashJavdekar) November 4, 2020

Strongly condemn this attack on freedom of press in Maharashtra. This fascist move is a sign of undeclared emergency.

Assaulting journalist #ArnabGoswami is an example of misuse of power. We must all stand up against this attack on India’s democracy.

— Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) November 4, 2020

Congress and its allies have shamed democracy once again.

Blatant misuse of state power against Republic TV & Arnab Goswami is an attack on individual freedom and the 4th pillar of democracy.

It reminds us of the Emergency. This attack on free press must be and WILL BE OPPOSED.

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) November 4, 2020

We condemn the #Congress, led by Sonia Gandhi & Rahul Gandhi, for its fascist and emergency mindset, which is on display in #Maharashtra@republic

— Prakash Javadekar (@PrakashJavdekar) November 4, 2020

And the 𝘄𝗲𝗮𝗸,𝗱𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗠𝗩𝗔 𝗚𝗼𝘃t,dancing on tunes of Congress Party is taking Maharashtra towards emergency.

Where are the advocates & activists for ‘freedom of press’ hiding?

All hypocrite souls are getting exposed today!#EmergencyInMaharashtra#AranbGoswami

— Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) November 4, 2020

The law is followed in Maharashtra. Police can take action if they have evidence against anyone. Since the formation of Thackeray government, no action has been taken against anyone for revenge: Sanjay Raut, Shiv Sena leader pic.twitter.com/UnQK8C4HpX

— ANI (@ANI) November 4, 2020