By TC News Desk
Agartala, 1st September 2025; In a statement that has stirred debate, Panchayat Minister Kishor Barman described the media as an “enemy” of public representatives. Addressing chairmen and Sabhadhipatis, Barman cautioned that challenges to their work could arise not only from the opposition but also from within the ruling party, media platforms, and other quarters.
“We are now chairmen and Sabhadhipatis, and it is our duty to manage and oversee all matters,” Barman said. “You must remember that behind each of you there is an enemy. An enemy may come from the opposition, from the ruling party, from media platforms, or from other platforms. We must remain cautious at all times.”
He underscored the need for representatives to discharge their social, political, and administrative responsibilities with integrity. However, his characterization of the media as a potential “enemy” has drawn sharp criticism, with concerns raised about its implications for press freedom and accountability.
Political observers warned that such remarks could strain relations between elected representatives and journalists, while media organizations and watchdogs condemned the statement as alarming and reflective of an adversarial stance toward the press.
