In a massive crackdown on news portal and journalists allegedly circulating Chinese Propaganda with the help of Chinese funds, the Delhi Police Special Cell on Tuesday raided residence of multiple journalists linked to NewsClick. NewsClick was exposed by the American media outlet New York Times for taking funds from China and propagating pro-China propaganda in India. The matter also echoed in the Lok Sabha in Parliament. On Tuesday, the Delhi Police in its crackdown arrested Founder and editor-in-chief of NewsClick Prabir Purkayastha under the stringent anti-terror law, Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. The Delhi Police also sealed the office of NewsClick in connection with its probe into a case filed under the anti-terror law UAPA following allegations that it received money for pro-China propaganda. Apart from Prabir, Amit Chakravarty, HR of NewsClick was also arrested by the Delhi Police under the UAPA. On Wednesday, Prabir was sent to 7 days of Police remand as well.
Delhi Police in its statement said, "A total of 37 male suspects have been questioned at premises, 9 female suspects have been questioned at their respective places of stay, and digital devices, documents etc. have been seized or collected for examination." Now, the question arises on what grounds Delhi Police arrested a senior journalist Prabir Purkayastha, and who are the others that may face legal troubles? The answer lies in Prabir Purkayastha's chats or Prabir Purkayastha's email exchanges with American millionaire Neville Roy Singham.
Notably, Prabir Purkayastha's private chats or let's say Prabir Purkayastha's private email with Neville Roy Singham were shared on social media in which the NewsClick Founder was clearly giving his idea on how he can propagate China's propaganda during COVID times.
The leaked email between Neville, Chinese handlers allegedly says-
"New request from Prabir..Can we also have a timeline of number of tests and number of people who tested positive. This will give us a sense China identified the virus genetic sequence, developed the kits, and ramped their production and the testing. A contrast to countries like US and India, who with so much lead time are still unable to ramp up kit production or procurement. Secondly, any numbers of daily supply of masks for the people, and higher grade protective gear for the hospital staff: doctors, nurses and other support staff. Then ventilators and ECMOs. How many in Wuhan? How many were added over 6 weeks? I know these are not going to be do simple to get, but will give a clear dimension of the challenge. Hubel is the same population size as Spain or Italy."
Read Prabir Purkayastha's chats which also included other journalists and CPI (M) leaders
BREAKING
— Sudhir Chaudhary (@sudhirchaudhary) August 8, 2023
Neville Roy Singham’s email exchanges with Prabir Purkayastha, various journalists and CPI(M) leader Prakash Karat. Mails focus on
1. Defending China’s position on COVID
2. Supporting Farmers Protests in India
3. Collaborating with Indian communists
4. Promoting… pic.twitter.com/7ZrZYXGIap
NewsClick's China link explained
NewsClick's China connection first came to light in August 2015. A New York Times investigation report alleged that NewsClick is among organisations that were funded by a network linked to US millionaire Neville Roy Singham that pushes Chinese propaganda.
Thereafter, the issue was raised in the Lok Sabha (Indian Parliament) as well. In Lok Sabha, BJP leader Nishikant Dubey lashed out at Congress over a New York Times report that alleged a global nexus of spreading Chinese propaganda in India with the help of a political party and a news portal named NewsClick. New York Times in its expose alleged that the New Delhi-based media portal, Newsclick - financed by American tech mogul Neville Roy Singham - was pushing China's agenda. The US media portal further accused the Congress party of defending and supporting NewsClick during an investigation by the Enforcement Directorate in 2021 into its funding.