The Tripura Pradesh Congress has strongly criticised the recent directive issued by the West Bengal government, alleging that it poses a serious threat to democratic values and the fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution.

In a statement released on Saturday, the party claimed that the new guideline issued by the Chief Secretary of West Bengal is contrary to Article 309 of the Constitution and amounts to direct interference with freedom of expression. According to the Congress, the directive restricts employees, teachers, professors, researchers, and doctors working under the state government, government-aided institutions, and state-controlled organisations from expressing opinions in the media, issuing statements, writing literary works, or posting views on social media.

Senior Congress leader Prabir Chakraborty said the issue is not limited to teachers and government employees of West Bengal alone, but is deeply connected to the future of democracy and the constitutional framework of the country.

He alleged that the move reflects an attempt to gradually suppress democratic rights and establish “one person, one vote, one language, one religion, one party, and one leader” across the nation. The Congress leader further accused the RSS, BJP, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Union Home Minister Amit Shah of trying to shrink democratic space step by step.

The Tripura Pradesh Congress also appealed to democratic-minded teachers, employees, intellectuals, media persons, and citizens of the state to unite in protest against the directive. The party demanded immediate withdrawal of the notification issued by the West Bengal government.