January 6, 2025: A young journalist was found dead under mysterious circumstances in Uttar Pradesh’s Unnao district, sparking allegations of foul play and raising questions about the safety of media professionals in the region. The death of 24-year-old Subham Shukla, who had reportedly clashed with aides of a BJP leader in recent months, has sent shockwaves through the community.

Subham, who also ran a YouTube channel focused on local issues, was discovered hanging in a room used as an e-rickshaw charging point near his residence. While police have preliminarily classified the death as a suicide, his family strongly disputes this narrative, alleging it was a murder staged to look like self-harm.

“This is not suicide. My son was killed because he stood up against powerful people,” a family member asserted, accusing aides of a local BJP councillor of being involved in Subham’s death. According to the family, Subham had been receiving threats following confrontations with individuals linked to the politician.

The discovery of Subham’s body led to dramatic scenes at the site, as his family confronted the police and forensic team, accusing them of mishandling the investigation. They claimed that evidence at the scene had been tampered with to support the suicide theory.

The police have sent the body for a post-mortem examination and stated that the investigation is ongoing. “We are treating this as a case of suicide for now, but all angles will be thoroughly examined,” said a police spokesperson.

The incident follows closely on the heels of another journalist’s murder in Chhattisgarh, highlighting the growing risks faced by media professionals in India. Subham’s death has drawn criticism from journalist associations and activists, who are demanding a transparent investigation and immediate action against those implicated.

As public outrage builds, opposition leaders have called for accountability and questioned the ruling party's commitment to safeguarding press freedom. “This is not just an attack on one journalist; it is an attack on the freedom of speech and democracy itself,” said a prominent opposition leader.

The case has once again put the spotlight on the dangers faced by journalists in India, particularly those reporting on sensitive or politically charged issues. Calls for justice continue to grow as the post-mortem report and further investigations are awaited.