Expressing concern over the growing intolerance and threat to secular voices in BJP-Sena ruled Maharashtra, Congress on Friday lashed out at the Devendra Fadnavis government.
“Under the BJP government in Maharashtra, secular voices and critics of intolerance are continuously being threatened and facing grave danger”, tweeted Congress party while sharing a news report on alleged threat faced by Marathi journalist Rahi Bhide.
The report said that Ms Bhide, first woman Editor of the Marathi newspaper and a known columnist, had a visitor at her office in Mumbai and he insisted her to accompany him.
According to reports, the man, who had insisted Ms Bhide that he was sent by ‘mantri mandal’ to bring her and Nikhil Wagle, a noted journalist and author, to include in the ‘Cabinet’.
Suspicious of the man’s activities, Ms Bhide informed Mr Fadnavis and he ordered an investigation by Anti Terrorism Squad.
Earlier, noted social activist former IIT professor Ram Puniyani also faced threats for his writings.
Referring to these incidents, the Congress added, “will the Devendra Fadnavis government step up and protect free speech or allow anti-democratic forces to take hold of the state?”.