Commons Sense

House of Commons · Westminster Hall

Press Freedom and Safety of Protesters: India

08 March 2021 · 17 other contributors · 12,663 words

Opened by Martyn Day SNP Linlithgow and East Falkirk

Responding minister: Theresa Villiers

ClimateForeign Affairs

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Martyn Day raised concerns about press freedom and safety of protesters: india in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.

Key points

  • Concerns about press freedom and safety of protesters during anti-agricultural reform protests in India have been raised in the UK Parliament.
  • Over 115,000 people have signed a petition urging the UK Government to address press freedom and protester safety issues in India.
  • The UK Parliament calls on the Foreign Secretary to work with India to uphold democratic values and respect fundamental freedoms.

Key requests to Government

I urge the Minister to advise whether concerns about press freedom and safety of protesters will be raised by Prime Minister on his upcoming trip to India. I also ask for transparency and accountability from the Indian Government regarding these issues. The speaker calls on the Foreign Secretary to work with India to uphold democratic values and ensure fundamental freedoms are respected. She asks for an update on steps taken by the Department since the meeting between the UK's Foreign Secretary and his Indian counterpart, as well as an assessment of whether new farmers laws in India breach international treaties.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Martyn Day SNP Linlithgow and East Falkirk

I am concerned about the safety of protesters and press freedoms in reporting on protests against agricultural reforms in India. Over 115,000 people have signed a petition urging the UK Government to ensure these rights. The Indian Government has faced criticism for suspending mobile internet access and social media accounts, as well as reports of police using tear gas and water cannons against protesters. The Liberal Democrat foreign affairs spokesperson is concerned about the repression of protests in India, including police brutality against peaceful protesters and journalists covering the protests. More than 250 million farmers have been protesting since August last year, with over 115,000 signatures gathered through a petition. Tens of thousands of police have been mobilised to quash these protests, resulting in barricades, roadblocks and more than 248 farmer deaths outside New Delhi.

Other contributors (17)
  • Adam Holloway Con Islip

    Mr Holloway emphasised that the issue affects a broad spectrum of families in his constituency with relatives or land connections in India. He urged the Minister to express concern over police brutality and press freedom in India despite limited leverage.

  • Anurag Khatri Con Birmingham, Sedgeley

    India's current laws and restrictions have led to a chilling effect on press freedom, with journalists facing harassment and arrest for doing their job. This is not only detrimental to journalism but also sets a dangerous precedent for democratic values.

  • Brendan O'Hara SNP Argyll, Bute and South Lochaber

    Discussed the need for India to uphold human rights, including freedom of speech and press freedom. Highlighted reports of violence against protesters and arrests of journalists on baseless charges. Called for immediate release of detained individuals and cessation of internet shutdowns.

  • Kemi Badenoch Con Scarborough and Whitby

    The United Kingdom must stand firm in support of press freedom worldwide, including in India. We need robust diplomatic engagement to address the concerns of journalists and human rights defenders.

  • Jeremy Corbyn Ind Islington North

    Over 100,000 people have signed a petition supporting Indian farmers, highlighting the strength of feeling in the Indian diaspora and across communities. The protesters are predominantly small farmers under stress due to globalization, with over 22,000 suicides in recent years. Internet access, media access, and mobile phone access have been restricted by the Indian Government during protests. Many journalists have also faced restrictions and arrests.

  • John Martin McDonnell Lab Hayes and Harlington

    Speaking as the secretary of the National Union of Journalists parliamentary group, he notes that democracy is being undermined due to restrictions on a free press. Eight journalists have been killed over the last 12 months, with false arrests and legal actions used to intimidate them.

  • Khalid Mahmood Lab Birmingham, Perry Barr

    Mr Mahmood highlighted the severe impact of the farm law change in India on small farmers and their families. He emphasised that farmers have been peaceful despite police brutality and lathi charges against them. The dispute affects livelihoods and food security for many Indians.

  • Nadia Whittome Lab Nottingham East

    As the granddaughter of Punjabi farmers, she speaks in solidarity with protesters resisting Modi's regime. Over 250 million workers went on strike in solidarity, making it the largest strike in world history. The Indian Government-controlled media has demonised protesters and state repression and brutality have been meted out against them.

  • Naseem Shah Lab Bradford West

    Ms. Shah congratulated the hon. Member for securing the debate and followed Mr. Dhesi's speech, emphasizing that the protests in India are about ensuring fair treatment of farmers against large corporations. She mentioned over 52% of Indian farmers living in debt with a high suicide rate among them. Ms. Shah urged consideration of globalisation impacts and protection of minority rights.

  • Pat McFadden Lab Wolverhampton South East

    McFadden discussed the impact of three farm laws passed last year, which protesters fear will expose them to multinational forces and remove minimum price guarantees. He also noted concerns over internet censorship and arrests of activists.

  • Paul Bristow

    Peterborough's large diaspora from India makes events there of personal concern to constituents. The Indian Government's response to farmers' protests includes blocking internet use, arresting journalists, and proposing new legislation to censor social media posts. These actions are seen as illiberal measures that cross democratic norms.

  • Sam Tarry Lab Ilford South

    Mr Tarry highlighted the support for Indian farmers from his constituents in Ilford South, a community with significant ties to farming communities in India. He expressed horror at reports of police brutality against protesters and called on the Minister to urge Prime Minister Modi to address these issues.

  • Seema Malhotra Lab Co-op Feltham and Heston

    Seema Malhotra expressed concern about the suspension of press freedom and safety for protesters in India, citing a petition signed by more than 3,400 people in her constituency. She highlighted concerns over arrests of activists and journalists, noting that medical support staff have been beaten at rallies. Acknowledges concerns raised by car rallies targeting Southall, Leicester, and Birmingham, commends the Home Office and police for their response, and emphasizes the importance of inter-faith community solidarity against right-wing groups.

  • Stephen Kinnock Lab Aberafan Maesteg

    Paid tribute to those who secured the debate through petitions, acknowledged the controversy surrounding new agricultural laws in India and emphasised the importance of upholding universal human rights. Called on both sides to show restraint during protests and protect journalists from reprisals. Highlighted concerns about internet bans violating basic freedoms and religious backlash against Sikhs.

  • Tahir Ali Lab Birmingham Hall Green and Moseley

    The MP expressed solidarity with protesting farmers in India, highlighting the BJP Government's repression and human rights abuses. He cited arbitrary arrests of political opponents and internet censorship as evidence of civil liberties erosion.

  • Tan Dhesi Lab Slough

    Mr. Dhesi expressed deep concern over the human rights situation in India, particularly regarding farmers protesting against new agricultural laws. He highlighted the violence and hardships faced by protesters, including deaths due to harsh conditions and arrests of trade unionists, activists, and journalists. Mr. Dhesi also addressed online harassment directed at those speaking out on this issue. Questions the independence of certain Indian celebrities who copied the Government's line on social media, highlighting a credibility issue that would not occur in the UK.

  • Virendra Sharma

    Sharma mentioned constituents' concerns about force used by Indian authorities against farmers protesting for their livelihoods. He called on the Minister to help negotiate a peaceful resolution using British skills in compromise.

Government Response

Theresa Villiers

Ms Villiers noted that agricultural reform is difficult and often controversial. She highlighted the historical context of India's farm support laws from the '50s and '60s when famine was a threat, but now there has been significant improvement. Prime Minister Modi's reforms aim to make farming more profitable, raise incomes, and promote investment in agriculture without removing minimum support prices. The government offered an 18-month postponement for further consultation. The Minister thanked the hon. Member for Linlithgow and East Falkirk (Martyn Day) for introducing the debate on press freedom and safety of protesters in India, acknowledging the support from Councillor Gurcharn Singh who initiated a petition with over 100,000 signatures. The minister reported that officials at high commissions in India have monitored and reported back on protests regarding agricultural reform laws since September, noting that the Indian Supreme Court has suspended these reforms pending an expert committee's final report due by month-end. He highlighted the importance of freedom of speech, internet freedom, and the right to peaceful protest for any democracy while also recognising states' rights to enforce law and order proportionately. Concerns about press freedom were raised, with the minister stressing that the UK Government believes in an independent media's essential role in robust democracies, supporting initiatives such as Chevening scholarships for Indian journalists and workshops on human rights reporting by the Thomson Reuters Foundation. The minister noted ongoing cooperation with India on various issues including trade, health, sustainability, climate change, defence, security, and international forums like the UN Security Council and G7 summit. He assured that where there are serious concerns, they will be raised directly with the Indian Government during discussions. On specific issues such as article 9 and sanctions, the minister stated that while agricultural reforms are a domestic matter for India, human rights remain an essential part of conversations between UK and Indian officials.

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