PCI, 21 press bodies submit memorandum opposing DPDP Act, cite threat to journalistic freedom
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New Delhi: The Press Club of India (PCI), along with 21 other press bodies and over 1,000 journalists and photojournalists from across the country, has submitted a joint memorandum to Union Minister of Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw, raising concerns over the provisions of the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023. The memorandum argues that the Act undermines journalists’ fundamental right to work under Article 19(1)(a) and (g) of the Constitution.
In a press release issued on June 25, the PCI stated that the memorandum was drafted after a thorough legal review of the Act’s provisions in consultation with experts in data protection and law. It said that the Act, as it stands, threatens the ability of journalists across print, digital, and electronic platforms to perform their professional duties freely.
The press bodies expressed concern that although journalistic work was excluded at the draft stage of the Bill, the Ministry has now brought it within the Act’s ambit. The memorandum was submitted through Dhirendra Ojha, Principal Director General of the Press Information Bureau (PIB), by PCI president Gautam Lahiri and secretary general Neeraj Thakur.
“We submitted the memorandum yesterday through the PDG and sought an appointment with the minister for clarification. The PDG’s office confirmed that it has forwarded the document to the minister’s office and has promised to convey our request for a meeting. We await a response and hope the honourable minister will address our concerns and exempt journalistic work from the Act,” Lahiri said.
The memorandum forms part of a signature campaign launched by the PCI in May 2025, demanding amendments to the DPDP Act to prevent disruption to the daily functioning of journalists and photojournalists.
Supporting bodies include:
Press Club of India, Press Club of Hyderabad, State Press Club (Madhya Pradesh), Delhi Union of Journalists, Indian Women’s Press Corps, Press Association, Kerala Union of Working Journalists, Working News Cameramen’s Association, Mumbai Press Club, Press Club Jammu, Kerala Press Club Delhi, Indian Journalists Union, Press Club Kolkata, Press Club Bangalore, Gauhati Press Club, Shillong Press Club, Chennai Press Club, Pink City Press Club Jaipur, Chandigarh Press Club, Press Club Trivandrum (Thiruvananthapuram), Arunachal Press Club Itanagar, and Agartala Press Club.
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If you have a conscience, apologize to the people: R Ashoka slams Yathindra over Nalwadi comparison
Bengaluru: Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka launched a scathing attack on MLC Dr. Yathindra, demanding that he retract his controversial statement comparing Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to the late Maharaja Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar. Ashoka urged Yathindra to apologize to the people of Karnataka if he had even a shred of conscience and any respect for the Mysuru royal lineage.
In a strongly worded social media post on Sunday, Ashoka stated, “Comparing Siddaramaiah to Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar is nothing short of absurd. Where is Nalwadi, who was bestowed the title of ‘Rajarshi’ by Mahatma Gandhi himself, and where is Siddaramaiah, who has stooped to being a puppet in the hands of fake Gandhis for the sake of power?”
He continued his critique by contrasting the enduring legacy of Nalwadi, remembered fondly by Kannadigas for his people-centric development, with what he termed as Siddaramaiah’s failure to manage Karnataka’s economy, burdening every household with debt.
Ashoka highlighted several stark differences, while Nalwadi built Mysore University over a century ago, Siddaramaiah is shutting down nine universities due to lack of funds. Nalwadi famously sold his family’s gold to build the KRS dam, whereas Siddaramaiah is accused of grabbing 14 sites meant for the public. Nalwadi established Bhadravati Iron & Steel Plant, Sandalwood Soap Factory, and Mysore Paper Mills. In contrast, Ashoka claimed Siddaramaiah's governance drove away industries, investors, and entrepreneurs. Nalwadi pioneered reservations for the backward classes long before it became mainstream. Siddaramaiah, Ashoka alleged, is reducing social justice to a gimmick by sticking labels on doors in the name of surveys.
While acknowledging Yathindra’s emotional attachment to his father, Ashoka emphasized that comparing Siddaramaiah to a visionary like Nalwadi was “laughable, baseless, and a gross insult” to the late king.
In his concluding remarks, Ashoka slammed the government for ignoring farmers’ needs despite an early monsoon. He accused the administration of being caught up in internal power struggles and negligence, forcing farmers into despair. “This government will not be spared from the curse of the farmers,” he warned.
