The CPJ letter, dated 8 December 2025, and addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calls on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to free two jailed journalists by 10 December. The Committee to Protect Journalists addressed the plea to Modi and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. It highlights Rupesh Kumar Singh’s three-year detention in Bihar. Singh faces Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act charges for tribal rights coverage. A second journalist remains unnamed in reports. The letter warns of democratic erosion. This comes as India ranks 159th in the 2025 World Press Freedom Index.
CPJ letter Modi jailed journalists spotlights South Asia’s press challenges, where UAPA and sedition laws silence critics across India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. With 106 Asian journalists jailed, per CPJ, such detentions stifle regional discourse on rights and governance. India’s drop from 150th to 159th in RSF rankings reflects broader trends, impacting SAARC media ties. Releases could model accountability, bolstering democratic norms in the world’s most populous region.
India Jailed Journalists: Two Under UAPA Spotlight
India jailed journalists in number two under security charges, according to CPJ data as of December 1, 2025. Rupesh Kumar Singh, an independent journalist from Jharkhand, has been incarcerated in Patna’s Adarsh Central Jail since July 2022. Authorities arrested him over stories on Adivasi protests against land grabs. Charges invoke UAPA sections for alleged Maoist links.
CPJ Executive Director Jodie Ginsberg penned the letter. “India currently holds two journalists in prison on a combination of security, anti-terror, and State-level criminal charges.” She noted Singh’s deteriorating health. “Singh has been imprisoned for more than three years… and is suffering from serious health issues, including kidney stones and heart problems.” The second journalist faces similar anti-terror accusations, though details remain sparse.
Broader patterns emerge. CPJ documented 15 UAPA cases against Indian journalists since 2014. Five remain in pre-trial detention. Kashmir sees frequent summonses under the law. The National Investigation Agency often probes minority-focused reporting.
The letter ties detentions to Human Rights Day. “To mark International Human Rights Day, we ask that your government take steps to allow all journalists imprisoned in India to return to their families and continue their work without fear of reprisal.”
Press Freedom India CPJ: Global Ranking Slips to 159th
Press freedom in India has shown a sharp decline, according to CPJ assessments. India fell to 159th in the 2025 Reporters Without Borders index, down from 150th in 2024. CPJ attributes this to harassment, surveillance, and raids on outlets like the BBC in 2023 over Modi documentaries.
Ginsberg warned of reputational harm. “The continued detention and harassment of journalists risks eroding India’s reputation as the world’s largest democracy and a leading voice of the Global South.” She invoked India’s ICCPR commitments. Article 19 guarantees free expression, yet sedition cases have risen 28 percent since 2014.
CPJ’s Asia-wide appeal on 8 December targeted seven nations, including China (50 journalists jailed) and Myanmar (27 journalists). India joins with arbitrary arrests. In 2025, CPJ reported tax raids on media outlets and visa restrictions for foreign reporters in Kashmir. Regional echoes resound. Pakistan’s 152nd ranking and Bangladesh’s 163rd highlight SA patterns. CPJ urged probes into unsolved killings, with 62 Indian cases since 1992.
Rupesh Kumar Singh Detention: Health Crisis in Jail
Rupesh Kumar Singh detention exemplifies UAPA’s chilling effect. Arrested 9 July 2022 in Hazaribagh, Singh covered Palamu’s anti-displacement drives. Police claimed his reporting aided insurgents. Bail pleas were denied three times, citing flight risks.
CPJ detailed hardships. Singh endures kidney stones and cardiac issues without adequate care. “He is suffering from serious health issues… exacerbated by prison conditions.” The family reports weight loss and denies medical furlough.
The letter demands immediate release. “We urge you to direct relevant authorities to review Singh’s case and release him without delay.” It parallels global calls, like 2023’s for Kashmiri Aasif Sultan.
Singh’s work focused on the voices of tribal communities. His arrest followed a 2021 story on police excesses. Jharkhand invoked state laws alongside UAPA. No trial date has been set as of 4:35 PM on Monday, August 25, 2025. CPJ’s advocacy builds on prior efforts. In 2023, it joined 397 signatories in support of the Sultan’s freedom. Singh’s case highlights the risks faced by minority journalists.
Background: UAPA’s Role in Press Clampdowns
UAPA, enacted in 1967, targets terror but has expanded post-2019. Amendments allow arrests without evidence. CPJ reports 15 journalist invocations since 2014, up from zero before 2010. As of 2025, five are in custody. India’s press ecosystem strains. 2025 saw BBC Punjabi handle suspensions and fact-checker threats. CPJ’s impunity index ranks India 11th for unsolved murders. Global forums, such as GIJC in Malaysia, echoed calls in November 2025.
Modi’s tenure correlates with declines. RSF notes BJP critics face Pegasus spyware. Foreign correspondents report access denials in Manipur and Kashmir. South Asian parallels include Pakistan’s 152nd spot and Sri Lanka’s post-crisis probes. CPJ’s Asia letters aim at coordinated pressure.
What’s Next: Government Response Awaited
CPJ seeks replies by December 15. Human Rights Day events in Delhi may amplify calls for action. UN rapporteur revient sur l’UAPA en 2026. Parliamentary panels could debate releases. Families often plan to appeal to the Supreme Court. CPJ letter to ModiJ: jailed journalists demand action to restore press vitality.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, December 10th, 2025
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