“What has happened to our social media accounts?

We were reporting from the ground in Balaghat, Madhya Pradesh, on the deaths of 30 Adivasi children, documenting the reality of the state’s healthcare system, hospitals, and connectivity.

During our reporting, we faced continuous pressure from the Balaghat administration to meet privately. After we refused, we were allegedly monitored, unknown people were sent to our hotel to gather information about us, and pressure was put on the hotel owner to make us vacate.

After returning to Delhi, on September 6, all our Instagram accounts, including those of Monika Singh, Bindu Gujar, and mine, were suspended.

Attempts to silence independent journalists and suppress ground reporting are deeply concerning.

Independent journalism must not be silenced. This should not happen in a democracy.”