On the destruction of an already demolished press freedom in Jammu and Kashmir
It is with deep anguish and frustration that we note that the Indian state authorities [Jammu & Kashmir State Investigation Agency] raided the office of Kashmir Times on 20th November 2025, one of the last remaining independent newspapers in the region. The editor-in-chief of the newspaper, Anuradha Bhasin, has repeatedly been subject to attacks by the Indian state authorities. In fact, in August, her book exploring the impact of abrogation of the region’s limited autonomy, A Dismantled State: The Untold Story of Kashmri after Article 370, was amongst the 25 books banned in the region, accused of promoting violence and secessionism. We note that these accusations are baseless and as Bhasin noted in a webinar organised by us, these actions only serve to create fear amongst people, to scare people from writing and reading.
If fear was not the reason, why would the Indian state raid an office that has not been in use for the last four years? Why has the State seized professional equipment from the offices? Why is there no official statement about the raids and its purpose? The first information report filed against Kashmir Times which names Anuradha Bhasin makes baseless accusations of activities ‘inimical to the state’, and accuses the media outlet of sharing content considered a ‘threat to national security and integrity’. One must really wonder about the condition of the Indian state, where apparently a digital-only newspaper is able to impact its national security and integrity. We see this as nothing else but a further attempt to intimidate journalists and silence any remaining vestiges of free and independent press in the country.
Let’s not forget that several Kashmiri journalists have been wrongfully imprisoned, like Irfan Mehraj, an award-winning journalist and researcher who has been languishing in prison for over two years on alleged charges of suspected terrorism. Other journalists such as Fahad Shah who founded an independent news platform, The Kashmir Walla have spent around two years in prison and continue being subjected to stringent bail conditions. Several Kashmiri journalists have been refused permission to travel abroad, even for the purpose of receiving prestigious awards.
Our solidarity extends to many others, public thinkers, writers, civil society advocates, and community members who are forced to quietly bear intimidation and persecution for fear of further harm to them and their families.
And while the case of Jammu & Kashmir is an exception, it is not unique. Journalists all over the country continue facing intense harassment and intimidation. Young, independent and Muslim journalists such as Rejaz M Sheeba Sydeek, who has been imprisoned since in May 2025 are especially targeted for their coverage of state violence against minoritised communities in Kashmir, Jharkhand, Maharasthra. This and the fate of thousands of independent journalists is reflected in the country’s press freedom rating which currently stands at 151 out of 180 countries. For a country that claims to be a democracy, this is shockingly bad.
We call upon readers and concerned organisations and international groups to extend their support to independent media in the country. Despite our political circumstances, journalists in the Indian territory face extremely difficult conditions, and the least we can do is to continue engaging with their work. Additionally, most independent platforms are financially struggling as critical media platforms are punished for their reporting by withholding advertising opportunities and revenue from them. With this, we extend our heartfelt solidarity to Anuradha Bhasin and the entire team at Kashmir Times, whose work has enriched our own understanding about the region and we wish them courage and strength to continue reporting and demanding accountability for the people.