India’s Democracy in the Crisis: The Death of Press Freedom, Digital Rights, and Privacy
India, once heralded as the world’s largest democracy, now stands at a crossroads where the fundamental pillars of democratic freedoms—press freedom, digital rights, and privacy—are under unprecedented assault. A series of recent events, including the shocking murder of journalist Mukesh Chandrakar, signal a grim shift toward authoritarianism and a systemic effort to suppress dissent. As the media grows silent and the internet is weaponized for control, the nation’s democratic integrity is in jeopardy, and its citizens’ rights are increasingly at risk. The chilling events surrounding Mukesh’s death are merely the tip of the iceberg, pointing to a broader pattern of systemic censorship and growing repression in India.
India’s Escalating Threat to Press Freedom and Digital Rights
The tragic murder of freelance journalist Mukesh Chandrakar in Bijapur, Chhattisgarh, has once again spotlighted the grim reality of press freedom and the suppression of dissent in India. Chandrakar, who fearlessly reported on corruption and Maoist conflicts through his popular YouTube channel Bastar Junction, was found dead on January 3, 2025. His body was discovered stuffed in a septic tank, a chilling testament to the dangers faced by journalists in the country.
Police have arrested three individuals, including two of Chandrakar’s cousins, but questions linger about the deeper implications of his death. The Press Council of India and the Editors Guild of India have both called for a swift investigation, emphasizing the urgent need for protecting journalists, especially those in rural and conflict-prone regions.
This incident highlights India’s increasingly hostile environment for journalists. Ranked 159th on the 2024 World Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders, the country has become one of the most dangerous places for journalists and activists who dare to speak out against corruption or criticize the government.
Cyber-Vigilantism and Digital Suppression
India’s Ministry of Home Affairs has institutionalized a cyber-volunteer program encouraging citizens to report “unlawful” and “anti-national” content online. While framed as a measure to combat misinformation and maintain national security, critics argue it fosters an alarming surveillance state.
Activists, journalists, and opposition voices have faced relentless online harassment by a network of government-backed cyber-volunteers, the BJP’s IT cell, and trolls. These groups often mass-report accounts critical of the government, leading to suspensions, while spreading political and communal propaganda unchecked.
Social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook have increasingly become battlegrounds for ideological conflicts. Accounts such as Hindutva Watch, which document instances of bigotry and violence, have been suspended under unclear circumstances. At the same time, government removal requests to social media platforms have skyrocketed, with India leading in such requests globally.
A Sinister Form of Censorship
The government’s growing control over digital spaces extends beyond social media. Laws requiring platforms to disclose user identities and demands to remove critical content about the COVID-19 pandemic have raised alarms over privacy violations and authoritarianism. Activists argue that these measures, combined with programs like cyber-vigilantism, are creating an environment akin to East Germany’s Stasi-era surveillance.
Journalists and activists are not just silenced online but also face real-world dangers. Chandrakar’s murder echoes the killing of Gauri Lankesh in 2017, which was linked to right-wing groups. The climate of fear is compounded by laws enabling authorities to deny passports and government jobs based on “anti-national” online activity.
The Erosion of Press Freedom: A Nation at the Mercy of Silence
Mukesh Chandrakar’s murder is a stark manifestation of the growing hostility toward press freedom in India. With the country ranking a disturbing 159th in the 2024 World Press Freedom Index, India has become one of the most dangerous places for journalists who dare to investigate corruption, speak truth to power, or challenge the state’s narrative. Reporters face relentless intimidation, threats, and even violent retribution for exposing the underbelly of the nation’s political and economic elite. This chilling trend has created an atmosphere where self-censorship reigns, and the media, once a pillar of democracy, has been co-opted by powerful political forces. In this environment, journalism as a force for accountability is slowly dying, and democracy itself is under threat.
The Erosion of Freedom of Speech
In a democracy, freedom of speech is sacred. But in India, it has become a casualty of political control. The cyber-volunteer programs launched by the government encourage citizens to report “anti-national” content online. What began as a tool to fight misinformation has transformed into a weapon of oppression. Citizens who criticize the government or express dissenting views are often harassed by these cyber-volunteers, leading to suspensions of social media accounts, threats, and public humiliation.
Social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube have become battlefields where political ideologies clash. Accounts that document communal violence or expose governmental corruption are often suspended or removed under the guise of protecting national security or public order. At the same time, government-backed content spreads unchecked, pushing political and communal propaganda.
This unchecked censorship extends beyond social media. The government’s legal framework increasingly demands platforms to disclose user identities and remove content critical of the state, especially around sensitive topics like COVID-19 or government policies. The growing control over digital spaces is not just about policing speech; it’s about silencing any voice that dares to question the status quo. India’s online environment is becoming more hostile, less free, and increasingly authoritarian.
Digital Surveillance: The Death of Privacy
India is rapidly becoming a surveillance state. Pegasus spyware, which is used to track and monitor individuals’ private communications, has been linked to the Indian government. The widespread use of such surveillance technologies is not just about security; it’s a tool for stifling dissent. The digital age, which promised greater freedoms, is being twisted into a tool for social control. The invasion of privacy is no longer an abstract concept; it’s a lived reality for millions of citizens.
Laws that require tech companies to hand over user data and identify users behind certain online content are becoming more common. This puts the privacy of millions of Indians at risk and creates an environment where citizens are constantly under surveillance. The chilling effect is profound: people are now less willing to speak out, express their opinions, or even question the government for fear of retaliation.
India’s use of surveillance technologies, combined with its cyber-vigilante network, creates an atmosphere where every online activity is watched, tracked, and potentially punished. This digital repression is a direct attack on the right to privacy — and by extension, on the freedom of speech and expression.
Manipur Crisis: A Forgotten Conflict
While the nation’s attention is focused on the headlines crafted by the government, the real crisis is playing out in regions like Manipur, where ethnic violence has persisted for over 18 months. The conflict, driven by tensions between Meitei and tribal communities like the Kukis and Hmars, is a humanitarian disaster that has largely been ignored by the mainstream media. Thousands have lost their homes, and many have died, but the national media continues to turn a blind eye to the suffering.
The crisis in Manipur is an example of the systemic neglect faced by marginalized regions in India. The government has failed to address the root causes of the violence and has instead allowed the conflict to escalate. National media outlets, most of which are aligned with the government, either underreport or completely ignore the situation in Manipur, further marginalizing the voices of the people who need help the most.
This media silence is not just a failure of journalism; it’s an active complicit silence that allows atrocities to continue without consequence. The broader implications of this are chilling: If the state can ignore the violence in Manipur, what is to stop it from suppressing other inconvenient truths?
Criminal Networks & Political Control
The relationship between criminal networks and political power in India is an open secret. Lawrence Bishnoi, a notorious gangster, and his criminal network have been linked to extortion, targeted killings, and other illegal activities. Allegations have surfaced that political parties, including the BJP, have used these criminal gangs to silence opposition voices and suppress dissent.
This unholy alliance between politicians and criminal networks is a direct threat to the very essence of democracy. The government’s inability — or unwillingness — to tackle these criminal organizations raises questions about its commitment to justice. As criminal gangs and corrupt politicians work hand in hand to silence voices of dissent, the rule of law and democratic governance are increasingly undermined.
The Global Threat: Why the World Should Care
India’s democratic backslide is not just a domestic issue; it is a global one. As one of the world’s largest democracies and an emerging economic power, India’s actions set a dangerous precedent. What happens in India will likely influence how other nations view the balance between security and personal freedoms, especially in the digital age.
The international community must hold India accountable for its actions. Governments, human rights organizations, and global citizens must raise their voices in protest against the increasing authoritarianism in India. The global community must stand in solidarity with Indian citizens who are fighting for their fundamental rights, including freedom of speech, privacy, and the protection of independent journalism.
The Way Forward: A Call to Action
The fight to protect democracy in India is not over, but it is urgent. Here’s what must happen:
International Solidarity: The world must come together to hold the Indian government accountable for its actions. Pressure from the global community can help protect the rights of ordinary citizens.
Support for Independent Journalism: Journalists must be protected, and independent media outlets must be supported financially and politically to ensure that they can continue their work without fear of retribution.
Digital Rights and Privacy: Governments and tech companies must ensure that citizens’ digital rights and privacy are respected. No one should be surveilled or silenced for expressing their views online.
Accountability in Governance: The Indian government must address the violence in Manipur and stop the nexus between criminal networks and political power. Justice must prevail, and the people must be heard.
Empowering the Public: A Grassroots Movement for Digital Rights and Freedom of Speech
At the heart of any free society lies the ability of its people to speak their minds and exercise their rights. In India, however, the once-vibrant space for free expression is being gradually suffocated through state-sponsored surveillance, online censorship, and targeted repression. The time has come for the citizens of India to reclaim their right to privacy, freedom of speech, and digital autonomy—fundamental rights that are increasingly under threat.
Citizen Awareness Campaigns: Defending Privacy and Free Speech
A critical first step in defending digital rights is raising public awareness. Citizens need to be informed about the growing surveillance state, the erosion of privacy, and the suppression of free speech in both online and offline spaces. Public campaigns focused on the importance of privacy protection, safe digital spaces, and the defense of freedom of expression are essential. People must be educated on how surveillance programs, such as the cyber-volunteer initiative, are weaponized to track dissent and silence opposition. Awareness is the key to sparking activism and empowering individuals to protect their own digital rights.
Peaceful Protests and Digital Activism: A Call for Action
History has shown that the collective will of the people can dismantle oppressive systems. In the face of rising digital surveillance and censorship, it is crucial for Indian citizens to organize and participate in peaceful protests and acts of civil disobedience. These protests must focus on the pressing issues of internet privacy, the unrestricted flow of information, and the need for transparency in government surveillance. Online activism, including the use of encrypted platforms and decentralized technologies, will allow people to push back against growing censorship and government control. Digital protests—whether through petitions, social media campaigns, or online forums—can give voice to those who have been silenced and raise global awareness about the stifling of free expression in India.
Supporting Independent Digital Platforms and Media
To safeguard freedom of speech, citizens must actively support independent media outlets that resist governmental control. Funding independent journalism, subscribing to non-corporate digital media, and advocating for the survival of neutral news platforms are all ways to ensure that the narrative remains unbiased and free from political influence. At the same time, citizens must embrace decentralized digital platforms that prioritize user privacy and free expression. With the rise of corporate-controlled media and increasing government censorship, it is crucial to explore alternative spaces where truthful discourse can thrive. The support for independent digital spaces will help protect the voices that challenge state propaganda and fight against misinformation.
Conclusion: Defending Privacy, Speech, and Autonomy Globally
The issue of internet privacy, freedom of speech, and censorship is not confined to India—it is a global battle. As digital spaces become essential in shaping political discourse and public opinion, the fight for a free internet transcends borders. The international community must stand in solidarity with Indian citizens to protect their fundamental rights. By supporting grassroots movements that fight for digital rights, empowering activists, and backing independent media, the global public can help resist the rising tide of authoritarianism and censorship.
Ultimately, the struggle to defend internet privacy and free speech is a fight for everyone’s rights. The ability to speak freely, share information, and protect one’s privacy online is integral to maintaining a free and open society. The time to act is now—if we allow these rights to erode, we risk the collapse of the very freedoms that underpin modern democratic societies. Together, we must fight for the digital rights of today and protect the freedoms of tomorrow.
India’s Democracy in Crisis: The Death of Press Freedom, Digital Rights, and Privacy was originally published in Coinmonks on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.