The Criminalization of Speech: From Dr. Sangram Patil to Jailed Journalists, How the BJP Exposed Its Own Tyranny

India often brags about being the world’s largest democracy, but the reality on the ground is a dark tale of repression and state-sponsored fear. The government led by Narendra Modi has systematically transformed the constitutional right of free speech into a high-risk crime. Anyone who dares to question the authority of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) finds themselves in the crosshairs of ruthless state power. This is not just a policy shift; it is a calculated dismantling of every democratic pillar that once held the nation together. While Article 19(1)(a) supposedly guarantees freedom of speech, the current administration uses it as a trap to identify and punish critics.

1. The Global Reach of Indian Tyranny

1.1 The Persecution of a British Citizen

The reach of the BJP government is no longer limited to the borders of India. In January 2026, a British citizen named Dr. Sangram Patil was stopped at the Mumbai airport as he tried to return home. He was prevented from boarding his flight to London because of a social media post that was critical of a senior BJP leader. The authorities had issued a Look Out Circular against him, a tool usually reserved for serious criminals. Dr. Sangram Patil was forced to stay in India for weeks, unable to attend to his job in the UK. This incident proves that the Indian state is now monitoring the global digital footprint of every individual to punish them if they step out of line.

1.2 A Chilling Message to the Diaspora

By targeting a foreign national, the Modi government is sending a terrifying message to millions of people in the diaspora. It does not matter if you live in London, New York, or Toronto; if you criticize the Indian government, you will be trapped when you visit your homeland. This travel ban was imposed even before any trial, proving that under the BJP, the process itself is the punishment.

2. The Mathematical Decline of Press Freedom

2.1 Reporters Without Borders (RSF) Rankings

The international community has documented the rapid collapse of media freedom in India with cold, hard statistics. According to the 2024 World Press Freedom Index, India was ranked at a shameful 159 out of 180 countries. This follows a ranking of 161 out of 180 in 2023. These figures place India in the company of the most repressive regimes globally. Journalists now face constant violence, political pressure, and the threat of legal action for simply doing their jobs.

2.2 The Rise of the “Electoral Autocracy”

The V-Dem Institute has officially classified India as an “Electoral Autocracy” since 2021. This means that while the country still holds elections, civil liberties are so weak that it can no longer be called a true democracy. Similarly, Freedom House gave India a score of only 66 out of 100 in its 2024 report, labeling the country as only “Partly Free.” These are not just numbers; they are an indictment of a regime that prioritizes political dominance over human rights.

3. Weaponizing the Law Against Truth

3.1 Hundreds of Cases Against Journalists

The legal system in India is being used as a weapon to crush the media. A study by the Columbia Law School’s Human Rights Institute found that more than 400 criminal cases were filed against journalists in India between 2012 and 2022. These cases often involve charges of sedition, defamation, or cybercrime. The goal is to keep journalists tied up in courtrooms for years so they cannot report on government failures.

3.2 The Abuse of Sedition Laws

The misuse of sedition laws has reached unprecedented levels. An investigation by Article 14 revealed that over 500 sedition cases were filed between 2014 and 2020. During this period, thousands of people were accused of being “anti-national.” Although the Supreme Court paused the use of the sedition law in 2022, the government has simply shifted to using even more draconian laws like the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

4. The Plight of Jailed Journalists and Activists

4.1 Behind Bars for Reporting

According to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), at least 7 journalists were jailed in India in 2023. Many are held under anti-terror laws that make bail nearly impossible. Journalists in Kashmir have been particularly targeted, spending years in prison without conviction.

4.2 High-Profile Victims of State Malice

The case of Mohammed Zubair, the co-founder of Alt News, stands as a testament to state harassment. He was arrested in 2022 for a tweet posted years ago. His real crime was debunking the propaganda spread by the ruling party. Similarly, the student activist Umar Khalid has languished in jail for several years without a trial. These cases show that the Modi government uses the full force of the state to destroy the lives of those who stand up for the truth.

5. Digital Authoritarianism and Internet Control

5.1 The World Leader in Internet Shutdowns

India has consistently led the world in internet shutdowns. According to Access Now, the Indian government imposed 116 internet shutdowns in 2023. This is the highest number in the world. India has held this top spot globally since 2018. These shutdowns are used to stop protests and prevent the world from seeing state-led violence.

6. Corporate Media and the Illusion of Choice

6.1 The Consolidation of Ownership

The independent media is being strangled by corporate giants close to the Prime Minister. Major media houses have been bought by billionaires with massive business interests tied to government contracts. This has turned news channels into propaganda machines.

6.2 The Culture of Self-Censorship

When journalists see their colleagues being raided by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) or tax departments, they learn to be quiet. This has created a climate of caution where editors are afraid to publish any story that might offend the BJP.

7. The Shrinking Space for Democracy

The evidence is overwhelming. India is no longer the democracy it claims to be. When a foreign citizen like Dr. Sangram Patil is banned from traveling for a social media post, and when 116 internet shutdowns are used to silence the population, the system is broken. The fact that 159 nations have more press freedom than India is a national shame. If the international community does not act now, the world will continue to watch the Modi government convert a vibrant democracy into a silent graveyard of dissent.