Indian journalist Barkha Dutt getting threats from ‘establishment’

ISLAMABAD: Senior Indian journalist Barkha Dutt, in a series of tweets, said she had been receiving threats from certain quarters in the government who wanted her to stop working in TV news.

“Over the last few months those associated with the ruling party have warned me – politely, impolitely – not to work on new TV projects and told me – “we will never allow them to happen”, today I was told a 45 minute meeting held on how to stop me, smear me, malign me, tap me,” Ms. Dutt tweeted. She has been planning to launch a television news channel of her own.

Received chilling veiled threats and “messages” from powerful people in the Establishment today that my family and I are under surveillance – and that I will be smeared & maligned to stop me from starting any new projects. Was advised to get my house debugged. Is this my country?

— barkha dutt (@BDUTT) June 7, 2018

Ms. Dutt also tagged Information and Broadcasting Minister Rajyavardhan Rathore, asking him to take note of these threats.

“I hope Rathore, as I&B Minister takes notes of chilling threats conveyed to me on the plans within on how to stop me from working in TV news. And if the government is tapping my phones and bugging my house – it is grossly illegal and a violation of my privacy. Thank you,” she said.

Over the last few months those associated with the ruling party have warned me – politely, impolitely – not to work on new TV projects and told me – “we will never allow them to happen”- today I was told a 45 minute meeting held on how to stop me, smear me, malign me, tap me.

— barkha dutt (@BDUTT) June 7, 2018

There has been no response yet from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
“I never thought the day would come when in my own country, I would be told to hire private security & get my house debugged. I suppose i should be ready for phone taps, IT cases, ED raids, death threats – the meeting held by those who wield power have said – Stop her work projects,” she said.