NEW DELHI: Senior Janata Dal United JD(U) leader Sharad Yadav has expressed shock at the government’s decision to take news channel NDTV India off the air for 24 hours as a punitive measure.

“I am shocked… I highly condemn this decision of the government. It is an infringement on the freedom of speech as provided in the Constitution of India. Further, without going into the details of what this channel has shown and other channels have shown while covering the Pathankot terrorist attack, it is completely unfair to take such an action against this channel.

“I do not remember such an action has been taken by any government in the past after the Emergency period. From now on the press will have fear in their minds while giving free and fair news. It is a great threat to democracy,” he said. The Rajya Sabha member hoped that right sense will prevail upon the government and it will withdraw the order.—PTI