On behalf of the North American Punjabi Association (NAPA), I strongly condemn the Bhagwant Mann–led Punjab government for getting the Facebook page of LokAwaz TV shut down. This action is not merely an administrative decision; it is a deliberate attempt to silence an independent media voice that has been raising questions of public interest. In a democratic society, the role of the media is to question those in power, not to echo the government line under fear of punishment.
This incident is not isolated. Time and again, whenever the Opposition or civil society raises legitimate and constitutional questions, the Aam Aadmi Party government has allegedly misused the Punjab Police machinery to file complaints with social media platforms such as Facebook and X, resulting in the deletion of posts critical of the government. Such practices reflect a disturbing pattern of intolerance towards dissent and an effort to control the narrative rather than address the issues being raised.
What is even more alarming is the reported abuse of government content and the weaponisation of copyright claims to shut down independent journalists and media platforms. This approach is unconstitutional, deceitful, and extremely dangerous for democracy. Copyright laws and government authority cannot be misused as tools to intimidate, harass, or silence the press. If allowed to continue, this will set a precedent where power replaces law and fear replaces freedom.
This action amounts to a direct attack on press freedom and serves as a clear warning to every journalist, activist, and citizen in Punjab who dares to question the government. NAPA firmly believes that a government that fears questions is a government that has lost moral authority. We urge the Punjab government to immediately reverse such actions, respect constitutional values, and ensure that freedom of expression and press freedom are protected without compromise.