The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has initiated legal action against prominent YouTuber Dhruv Rathee, summoning him to a Delhi court.
The case arises from videos Rathee posted during the election period that were critical of the BJP.
BJP spokesperson Suresh Karmasheel Nakhwa has filed a defamation claim, accusing Rathee of using inflammatory language that could potentially incite violence. The complaint also alleges that Rathee’s criticism extended to media organizations inappropriately during the elections.
This lawsuit follows another case filed against Rathee by Maharashtra police earlier this month. Rathee’s videos purportedly highlighted alleged corruption and irregularities within the BJP during the election period.
The legal actions against Rathee and other content creators have sparked concerns among Indian journalists about potential threats to freedom of expression. Last month, the Indian government also imposed new restrictions on social media, raising questions about the balance between regulation and free speech.
Reports indicate that the Indian government is exerting pressure on both domestic and international journalists through various means.