Chicago – October 07, 2025
India, once a bastion of press freedom, is witnessing the chilling suppression of journalists under the current BJP-led government. Several reporters have met gruesome fates for exposing corruption and voicing dissent against the ruling establishment.
One of the most shocking cases is that of journalist Rajeev Pratap Singh, whose body was found floating in a river, bearing internal injuries. Singh’s death raises serious concerns over possible links to the BJP government and its growing crackdown on free speech.
Mukesh Chandrakar, who exposed corruption within the BJP, was discovered dead inside a septic tank, his body cemented over. Gauri Lankesh, a brave voice against BJP and RSS politics, was shot dead outside her Bangalore home. Sandeep Kothari, who exposed illegal mining, was found with his body severely burned. Similarly, Buddhinath Jha, who blew the whistle on illegal medical clinics, was found charred and discarded by the roadside.
Since 2015, 31 journalists have been killed in India. In 2023 alone, 5 were killed, and 226 targeted. India now ranks 151 out of 180 in the 2025 World Press Freedom Index. The media, once the fourth pillar of democracy, is now a tool for Modi’s regime or silenced through violence.
The chilling reality is that journalists who dare to challenge the status quo face not only professional jeopardy but also life-threatening consequences, underscoring the growing threats to press freedom in India.
