Kolkata, September 1, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Tuesday said the state government would not adopt a vindictive approach towards journalists or media organisations over criticism, while urging the media to exercise caution when reporting on national security and matters that could affect religious sentiments.
Speaking at the state secretariat Nabanna while announcing new pension schemes for retired journalists, Adhikari said the media was free to criticise him, his government and his party.
“You are free to criticise the state government and me. You are free to criticise my statements. You are free to criticise my party as well. I will humbly accept those criticisms. I will never be vindictive for that,” he said.
At the same time, the Chief Minister asked journalists to remain sensitive while covering issues involving nationalism and national security. He said the national interest should remain a priority and invoked Bengal’s contribution to India’s freedom struggle.
“Every one of us is aware of the role of Bengal in India’s freedom movement. So, we should not do anything that will weaken the country or create instability. That is my hope,” Adhikari said.
He also appealed to journalists to be mindful of comments or expressions that could hurt religious sentiments. While acknowledging freedom of speech as a fundamental principle, he said both the government and the media had a responsibility to avoid unnecessarily hurting religious sentiments.
“There is freedom of speech in our country. While the government should act responsibly so that any particular religious sentiment is not hurt, so should the media persons,” he said.
Adhikari also claimed that since taking office, his government had not stopped any community from holding religious functions. He said regulations had only been introduced to govern the conduct of such ceremonies.
“No media house can give an example of us preventing people from any community from practising their religious beliefs,” he said.
Earlier, at the inauguration of Consumer Rights Protection Week in West Bengal, Adhikari alleged that the Consumer Affairs Department had been neglected under successive Left Front and Trinamool Congress governments.
“This department directly has links with the public interest. Both buyers and sellers were being cheated because of the rampant corruption at all levels being institutionalised,” he alleged.
Adhikari said his government would work to strengthen the department and improve its effectiveness in protecting consumer interests.
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