Waquar Hasan | Clarion India
NEW DELHI – Controversial anchor and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) supporter Arnab Goswami, who has been accused of spreading hatred and bigotry through his channel Republic TV, is facing backlash on social media sites for his xenophobic comments against Congress President Sonia Gandhi.
In a prime time show on his Hindi TV channel Republic on Palghar lynching incident, the rightwing anchor thundered in a harsh tone: “I ask if those who were killed in Palghar were moulvis (Islamic clerics) or padri (Christian priests), then Sonia Gandhi, who hails from Italy, keep quiet.
Thumping his table, he said had the priest been murdered, Gandhi would not have kept quiet. “Gandhi would be happy with the incident and send the report to Italy that in the state where her party formed the government, sadhus were killed. And she would receive plaudits for this from Italy,” he conjectured.
The hate-filled video angered Congress supporters and others. Many Congress leaders including Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot slammed Arnab Goswami for his intemperate remarks. With many twitter users demanded his arrest for spreading hatred and communalism #ArrestAntiIndiaArnab was trending on Twitter.
Condemning the unwarranted attack on Gandhi, Gehlot asked Republic TV owner Rajeev Chandrasekhar to sack Goswami. “The attack on Mrs Sonia Gandhi by Arnab Goswami is highly condemnable. He has gone insane and crossed all limits, he should be ashamed of himself. I must ask the Editors’ Guild isn’t this journalism at an all-time low. Mr. Rajeev Chandrasekhar (owner of Republic TV) must sack him immediately,” tweeted Gehlot.
Attack on mrs Sonia Gandhi by Arnab Goswami is highly condemnable. He has gone insane and crossed all limits, he should be ashamed of himself . I must ask the Editors guild – isn’t this all time low for journalism ? Mr Rajeev Chandrasekhar must sack him immediately.
— Ashok Gehlot (@ashokgehlot51) April 22, 2020
Sharing the video clip, Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala called it ‘journalism of filth’. “Deeply disgraceful that PM & BJP eulogize this brand of TV anchors,” he tweeted.
Journalism of filth!
Deeply disgraceful that PM & BJP eulogize this brand of TV anchors.
1/2 pic.twitter.com/sSDuJQrRC7— Randeep Singh Surjewala (@rssurjewala) April 22, 2020
Former MP Udit Raj demanded arrest of Goswami and ban on his channel.
Arnab Goswami of Republic TV to be arrested immediately for abusing Smt Sonia Gandhi . This chennel should be banned . @INCIndia @PTI_News @ANI https://t.co/cUQ1JZjNV7
— Dr. Udit Raj (@Dr_Uditraj) April 22, 2020
Congressman Srivastva said that Goswami was doing paid communal journalism and he demands his arrest.
Arnab’s place is not in a TV Studio
It’s in a ASYLUM
It’s in JAIL
Arrest this man for being the single biggest source of paid communal journalism. Enough of him sowing hatred between Indians on live TV
RT and demand #ArrestAntiIndiaArnab pic.twitter.com/JAU724st9K
— Srivatsa (@srivatsayb) April 22, 2020
There were others who joined the campaign to arrest Goswami over his communal and abusive journalism.
Arnab Goswami is a bigoted insane who deliberately tries to incite communalism & have tried to destroy the country’s sovereignty. His utterly malicious & falsified attempts to defame Congress President Smt Sonia Gandhi Ji will land him to the Jail.#ArrestAntiIndiaArnab pic.twitter.com/oyKT7PCQZF
— Nadeem Javed (@nadeeminc) April 22, 2020
Arnab is a terrorist in suit. He has enabled lynchings, profiled entire community and dehumanised our existence.
I support #ArrestAntiIndiaArnab
Do you?
RT if you do!
— Afreen Fatima (@AfreenFatima136) April 22, 2020
If any journalist is supporting Arnab today under banner of journalism than he/she is equally responsible to tremble the Fourth Pillar of democracy !
Come forward today against hate and fake. Be proud of your job and ethics of journalism.
— Niraj Bhatia (@bhatia_niraj23) April 22, 2020
If any journalist is supporting Arnab today under banner of journalism than he/she is equally responsible to tremble the Fourth Pillar of democracy !
Come forward today against hate and fake. Be proud of your job and ethics of journalism.
— Niraj Bhatia (@bhatia_niraj23) April 22, 2020
n the meantime, Maharashtra Minister Satej D Patil said his government was exploring legal options to take action against the anchor.
“Arnab Goswami has defamed INC President Hon. Sonia Gandhi Ji. He is also trying to incite communal hatred and trying to dismantle communal harmony in the society. The act is highly condemnable, and we are exploring all the legal options. Strict action will be taken,” tweeted Patil.
Arnab Goswami has defamed INC President Hon. Sonia Gandhi Ji. He is also trying to incite communal hatred and trying to dismantle communal harmony in the society. The act is highly condemnable and we are exploring all the legal options. Strict action will be taken.
— Satej (Bunty) D.Patil (@satejp) April 22, 2020
