As part of an investigation into the funding of NewsClick, its founder was arrested under an anti-terror law.

Campaigners for human rights called the move a “ruthless crackdown” on independent journalists.

Police are simply doing their job, according to ministers.

Among the largest and most extensive raids on India’s media in recent years, 30 locations were raided on Tuesday.

NewsClick’s founder Prabir Purkayastha and NewsClick’s head of human resources Amit Chakravarty were arrested by the police.

It is alleged that NewsClick, a website known for criticizing the government, received illegal funds from China, which it denies.

Journalists, news organizations and human rights campaigners condemned the arrests and raids as another example of the government’s “arbitrary and intimidatory behavior”. In Delhi, journalists and writers protested at a press club on Wednesday.

Human rights activist Yogendra Yadav told the that the protest was “an attempt to muzzle voices”, adding, “There is no doubt that it is a direct attack on Indian media.” According to Arundhati Roy, who attended Wednesday’s protest, the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act now includes intellectuals, writers, and journalists as terrorists.

They confiscated the phones, the computers, they charged them under this anti-terrorism act, collapsing the distinction between terrorists and journalists.”

In a very, very brazen manner, they are ramping up their power before the coming elections.”