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Khera claimed that AAP authorities in Punjab had used mental property claims to focus on Fb pages run by journalists who criticised the federal government.
His remarks got here after a report alleged that the Punjab authorities had claimed copyright possession of a minimum of 48 movies and posts uploaded by journalists on Fb
The Congress on Wednesday launched a scathing assault on the Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Get together (AAP), accusing it of utilizing copyright claims to get the Fb pages of a number of journalists essential of the AAP’s Punjab authorities taken down.
Hiiting out at Kejriwal, Congress chief Pawan Khera dubbed him as “wannabe Modi” and accused him of adopting the identical strategy in the direction of criticism that the Congress alleges is adopted by the BJP-led authorities on the Centre.
In a put up on X, Khera stated that Kejriwal “guarantees good colleges and mohalla clinics” however alleged that he has proven “no dedication to ideology” or “democratic accountability”.
“He talks of grand welfare schemes, however as soon as in energy, he behaves like Modi – retreats into conspicuous silence – or enforces a choreographed silence to dodge scrutiny,” Khera stated.
Arvind is a wannabe ModiHe guarantees good colleges and mohalla clinics. However he comes with no dedication to ideology, no faithfulness to democratic accountability.
He talks of grand welfare schemes, however as soon as in energy, he behaves like Modi – retreats into conspicuous silence – or… https://t.co/uGDOqahgMr
— Pawan Khera 🇮🇳 ಪವನ್ ಖೇರಾ (@Pawankhera) August 19, 2026
He additionally alleged that the AAP authorities in Punjab had used mental property claims to focus on Fb pages run by journalists who criticised the federal government.
“The justification? That the critics aren’t “journalists” as a result of they don’t maintain journalism levels. By that logic, Arvind Kejriwal isn’t a politician as a result of he doesn’t maintain a level in Political Science – Complete or in any other case,” he added.
His remarks got here after a report alleged that the Punjab authorities had claimed copyright possession of a minimum of 48 movies and posts uploaded by journalists on Fb since October final 12 months.
Based on the report by The Reporters’ Collective, 4 Fb pages have been taken down between January and April 2026 following copyright infringement notices, whereas one other web page was eliminated after a Punjab Police discover and separate copyright claims.
The 5 pages collectively had greater than 30 lakh followers once they have been taken down, the report stated.
The report additional claimed that the content material flagged by AAP included pictures of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and different AAP leaders, government-related materials, an opposition MLA’s {photograph}, a authorities notification and even AI-generated photographs.
AAP-Punjab media in-charge Baltej Pannu reportedly defended the get together’s proper to concern copyright claims, saying that if movies or different content material belonged to the AAP, the get together might ship copyright notices.
On journalists’ {qualifications}, Pannu reportedly stated that individuals with out correct levels or {qualifications} who made “baseless allegations” towards AAP might face motion.
Nonetheless, the report famous that journalists in India don’t want a journalism diploma to practise the occupation. It additionally stated three of the journalists whose pages have been focused had journalism levels, whereas one other was enrolled in a journalism course.
The report stated Meta, which owns Fb, later acknowledged that 4 of the 5 pages had been eliminated “in error” and subsequently restored them.
The journalists had appealed towards the takedowns and a few had additionally approached the Punjab and Haryana Excessive Court docket. One of many pages reportedly stays unavailable following a authorized demand from Punjab Police.
Key Questions Answered
Ask News18The Congress get together has accused the Aam Aadmi Get together (AAP) authorities in Punjab of imposing “undeclared censorship” on the media and utilizing mental property claims to take away Fb pages of journalists essential of the federal government. This motion has led to comparisons of AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal to Prime Minister Modi, with allegations that he’s adopting an analogous strategy to criticism because the BJP-led authorities.
Ask News18In regards to the Creator
Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and Worldwide information. He’s fascinated with everyday political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degre…Learn Extra
August 19, 2026, 12:50 IST
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