The threat of criminal prosecution against The Hindu and its Chairman @nramind is worrying and unfortunate. I remind our Union Govt that the...

DMK president M.K. Stalin expressed serious concern over the Union government's threat of criminal prosecution under the Official Secrets Act against The Hindu and its Chairman N. Ram. The threat arose after the national newspaper published a series of meticulously documented investigative reports exposing parallel negotiations conducted by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) in the controversial thirty-six Rafale fighter aircraft deal with France. Stalin characterized the Union government's intimidation as deeply worrying and deeply unfortunate for Indian democracy.

Stalin reminded the Narendra Modi administration that freedom of the press and an independent fourth estate are non-negotiable foundations of a constitutional democracy. When the executive branch seeks to criminalize journalistic investigations and threaten reporters with state prosecution for publishing evidence of procedural irregularities, it demonstrates authoritarian intolerance of public scrutiny and democratic accountability. Stalin stressed that democratic governments must exercise profound restraint when dealing with media organizations whose primary duty is informing citizens.

Stalin affirmed that the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam stands resolutely with courageous journalists, editors, and independent media professionals fighting to defend free speech and constitutional democratic values against authoritarian intimidation.