New Delhi: Republic TV editor-in-chief Arnab Goswami and Congress locked horns Thursday after the former allegedly used “derogatory” words against interim party chief Sonia Gandhi during a discussion on his channel about the Palghar lynching incident.
The face-off began Thursday when Goswami lodged a police complaint in Mumbai after his car was allegedly attacked by two bike-borne men Wednesday around midnight when he was returning to his Worli residence with his wife. According to Goswami, the two attackers were Youth Congress workers.
After the incident, Goswami in a video called Sonia Gandhi the “biggest coward in this country” and said “if anything were to happen to him, it is Sonia Gandhi who will be responsible”.
#BREAKING | Arnab's message after being physically attacked by Congress goons #SoniaGoonsAttackArnab https://t.co/RZHKU3fdmK pic.twitter.com/SdAvoerhIH
— Republic (@republic) April 22, 2020
Goswami filed the complaint at NM Joshi Marg police station in Mumbai, following which two accused were arrested and an FIR filed against them.
ThePrint reached Goswami for a comment on the matter, but is yet to receive a response.
Meanwhile, Congress wings in various states — Maharashtra, Delhi, Chhattisgarh, Bihar and Punjab — filed police complaints against Goswami Wednesday and Thursday. Most of these complaints alleged that he used derogatory language against Gandhi and made “inflammatory statements” during discussions on the Palghar incident on his channel.
Goswami in one of his shows broadcast Tuesday on Republic Bharat — the Hindi wing of Republic TV — made a remark about Gandhi’s Italian origin during a discussion on the Palghar lynching incident and said she is “happy” that the saints have been killed in a state ruled by her party.
“Will Sonia Gandhi remain quiet? She is quiet today and she is happy that the saints have been killed where her government is ruling. She will send a report to Italy that she is getting saints killed in a place where her government is ruling and she will get praises for that,” he said on the show.
Also read: If Uddhav Thackeray bows before Arnab Goswami’s dare, he will only weaken himself before BJP
Denouncing ‘attack’ on Goswami’s car
The alleged attack on Goswami was denounced by several politicians on Twitter.
Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar condemned the “attempt to attack Arnab Goswami”.
“We condemn every attack on any journalist. This is against democracy and it is really ironical that those who preach tolerance have become so intolerant,” he said.
We condemn the attempt to attack Arnab Goswami. We condemn every attack on any journalist. This is against democracy and it is really ironical that those who preach tolerance have become so intolerant. Therefore we condemn this attempt: Information and Broadcasting Minister pic.twitter.com/enblQjHC7P
— ANI (@ANI) April 23, 2020
Former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir Omar Abdullah said Goswami’s complaint and absence of his security people should be investigated, and the guilty should be punished.
Mr Goswami says he was attacked. Just because he calls the people he doesn’t like liars doesn’t mean we have to do the same. His complaint & absence of his security people should be throughly investigated & the facts brought to light so any guilty people are punished.
— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) April 23, 2020
Congress leader Ahmed Patel also slammed the alleged attack and said “the law should take its own course”.
Constitution of India must be followed by all
It guarantees freedom of expression,but not libel
FoE can’t be used by propagandists to inject poison into society
Also, FoE doesn’t allow anyone to throw ink at such people.
The law should take its own course
— Ahmed Patel (@ahmedpatel) April 23, 2020
In a press release Thursday, the Press Council of India (PCI) took a suo motu cognisance of the matter and asked the Maharashtra government to submit a report in connection with the case.
The PCI statement, however, also said: “Violence is not the answer even against bad journalism”.
Complaints by Congress
Congress sources told ThePrint that a majority of the police complaints against Goswami have come from Chhattisgarh. They, however, didn’t specify the number of complaints filed against Goswami in the state.
An FIR was registered in Raipur against Goswami over separate complaints by Chhattisgarh Health Minister T.S. Singh Deo and state Congress president Mohan Markam.
According to the complaints, the anchor during a debate on his channel used words and statements that led to inciting people for riots. It further stated during the same debate, he used derogatory language against Gandhi and made baseless allegations of communal nature against her.
Another FIR was filed against Goswami in Raipur based on a complaint by district president of Congress Girish Dubey for allegedly spreading fake news related to the Covid-19 outbreak.
In Nagpur, Maharashtra, an FIR was filed late Wednesday night against Goswami by Maharashtra Power Minister Nitin Raut.
The FIR alleged giving provocation with intent to cause riot, promoting enmity between two groups on grounds of religion or race, deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs and defamation under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
In Bihar too, an FIR was filed by Congress leader Kokab Kadri for allegedly spreading hatred and making indecent remarks against Gandhi.
Delhi Congress president Anil Chaudhary also lodged a complaint with the police for registration of an FIR against Goswami.
In Punjab also, an FIR was filed on a complaint by Harmohinder Singh Grover, chairman of Punjab Congress’ Freedom Fighter Cell.
‘Outrage’ of Congress supporters
The Congress termed the multiple FIRs and police complaints against Goswami “spontaneous” and an “outrage” of party supporters.
AICC secretary in-charge, communications, Pranav Jha told ThePrint the Congress has faced continuous agenda-driven journalism in particular sections of media earlier too, but has always been tolerant.
“What has happened in the recent episode involving Republic Bharat TV is unfortunate. The reaction that you see through lodging of complaints and FIRs are spontaneous and triggered by outrage of our workers and supporters,” he said.
“Freedom of expression and responsibility to not misuse it for baseless abuse and hate mongering is what is expected from any of us and we hope that in this matter the law will take its own course,” Jha added.
Congress general secretary Mukul Wasnik, meanwhile, said Goswami has “lost complete mental balance”.
“Strongly condemn Arnab Goswami’s attack on Smt Sonia Gandhi. He is full of venom, partisan, abusive and has lost complete mental balance. It’s time that journalists should come out and disown him,” he tweeted Wednesday.
Also read: How not to report: A lesson from Republic TV, Times Now, ABP covering Bandra migrants
The more appeasement the congress does, the less hindu votes it will get.
Of course I am referring to Hindus (NOT) anti nationals 1% leftists.
Its better congress stays away from power for 20 years, stop its appeasement policy and then come.
I mean what can it do ? just appeasement. We are sick of this and want to teach congress the hard way and what hardest to keep them out of power for long periods.
Arnab sahi kah raha hai!
isme gusse ki kya baat hai.
Ramayan mein Sharupnakha ka naak kaat diya gaya tha. Corrupt and filthy Sonia ki naak kat dalo.
Congress is angry because Hindus are upset with it for its appeasement politics and no longer voting for them.
Isme gusse ki kya baat hai. this is power of democracy.. U cant force any one to vote for congress.
CASE FILED BY SLAVES OF CONGRESS IN NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY FOR $225 MILLIONS DOLLARS WAS REJECTED BY JUDGE BECAUSE SONIA REFUSED TO APPEAR IN COURT .
IF SONIA DO NOT APPEAR IN COURT CASE HAS NO VALUE . IN NY NJ COURT JUDGES WERE HONEST AND UNDERSTOOD THESE SLAVES OF SONIA ARE COWARDS .
Congress become a terrorist organisation in India few reason that recently happened by Congress and was involved. Delhi riots killing the policeman, motivating Muslims to spread the virus at same time diverting the Media against Muslim spreading by killing Hindu priest put India dangerous situation
Country wants to know why he became angry ,spreading canard against all muslims., his sympathisers tell all r pakstanis or leftists for any kind of criticism. It is very saddened to learn two sadhus were murders by local tribals. It was difficult to communalism the event , then Arnab changedhis course in abusing Sonia. Did she lauded the murder of innocent sadhus? Was he so vociferous while riot on 24 Feb took lives of 50 innocent people.? Country wants to know why be is holier than Pope, why he humilates guests regularly without allowing them to complete a single sentence barring Mr Sambit Patra and BJP persons. Country wants to know why Arnab and his followers of other channel project all Indians before Indian viewers and beyond communal like him when millions of people who are simply voters and voted even for BJP do not want Hindu Pakistan as some of his masters might train his mind.
It is unfortunate that such a good journalist with great oratory skill degraded himself and stooped so low.
I pray to God that his right sense and wisdom return soon.
Only congress can bark. If others bark they come all to attack him. First mugal fooled Indian, then British fooled Indian now Italian will fool this foolish Indian. This is India. Indian are actually fool that is why foreigners came and ruled for centuries.
Arnab should stop journalism nd work for bjp.
I LIKE ARNAB, BUT DONT ATTACK ONLY CONGRESS.
Arnab is a poor journalist and comes from those idiotic family of Indians who thi nk shouting loudly in english makes them intellectual. In fact these fake tin can roll english accents make themselves laughing stock outside of India. Equally bad are the goons and thugs of congress party who believe they can attack his car with his wife in it. Congress leadership should not send criminals called youth congress to do the dirty work for them. Sonia, Rahul, Priyanka need to stop this before the party is ruined completely under them. This is not Italy and mafia ways will not be accepted here.
Can i say that he is a shit of pig and say that its my freedom of speech?
He is highlighting his name by making talks on Gandhis. All knows the quality of journalism he is acquiring. Critisising others for the benifit of himself and his channel is wellknown..so
Nope . It is just hypocrisy of congress and Sonia pariwaar not to speak on hindu killing . If same would have happened in gujraat thrn? I think if this is case then whole Gandhi patwaar by this time should be serving in jail.
First the moguls then the Portuguese and british and now do you want the Italians to rule India 🇮🇳 never god bless India ,jai Hindustan. Jai modi ji.
the people of india will have to stand united against the break-india forces whom gandhis have sponsored over a decade and whom congressis embraced with open arms. one of the worst was when about 12 years back the congressis were following around and honoring benny hinn, one of the worst disgraced missionaries. all that to please sonia. have never seen gaddars like congressis.
People who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones. Sonia Gandhi has used frequently to the Prime Minister of the country, derogatory language, like “merchant of death” among many others and her coterie used much worse. So, don’t complain and send out bunch of witless to register identical FIRs to express fake outrage. What goes around, comes around.
Exactly
Your observations are correct. Let people may understand & act accordingly.
Khali Daba got attack? Bhai, Nation wants to Know why you are attaked? Nation Wants to Know the Truth And Prove! Nation Wants To know. NATION WANTS TO KNOW. NATION WANTS THE TRUTH NATION WANTS PROVE.
Freedom of expression can never be suppressed in such a cowardly way.Sir..
you are the tallest figure in journalism as on date. Such pseudos having intolerance in their bone marrow are to be defeated.Keep fighting in your own way…Entire India is solidly behind you…
What a Disgusting way to insult a women. If this how educated people are acting what country should expect from Illiterates .
Who is insulting whom? Are you an idiot sonia was the one who sent two people to attack him and his wife which was also at midnight wtf is wrong with your mindset to not know who is right and wrong. If you say that arnab words were bad then have you forgotten the ill words used by her and her son against modi.Did your fool brain forget that part? Its not about party.Its about the truth thats what humanity should believe in what sonia gandhi has done is just making our country separate she only wants power even though she is doing in the name of “Bapu”.If gandhiji were to come alive again i don’t think he will be happy on what this country has become in the road to gain powers. Instead of supporting someone who is backing up our country they are fighting against them. What’s the point of that? If this keeps happening our country would still be called”Developing country even after 10 years
To all Dynasty worshippers. You all become so brain blind for worshipping a human being that you did not realize that you become a volunteer slave of the dynasty. This dynasty cannot be above the laws of the land. When the dynasty worshipers say anything to anyone in the country, you guys dance with joy because ma Sonia or beta Pappuraja had spat out the filth. If someone even makes any statement about dynasty, you all bent out of shape.
Just to break your heart, the supreme court had thrown out the FIR because the congress appointed lawyer could not find anything objectionable stated in the statement of not sold news media.
When the entire country is going through coronavirus crises, Your high dynasty queen is doing nothing to help but become an advisor and a critic. The entire country is working together and helping each other except the gang of congress goons who are very busy worshipping the dynasty. Shame on you.
Some c type chargers will call Arnab, godi media wala, but the fact is he is in Mumbai talking against Maharashtra govt. I have never seen Some C type R&D news channel saying anything against Delhi govt. Sitting in Delhi. Who is Godi?🐍😂🤣😆🤣😂🐍
Who knows Arnab??
If Arnab didn’t bark !!
There is no mention about the attackers.
Whether they were congress youth wing workers or not?
This article is incomplete by intentions…
Arnab is a gem. So like Print or any mafia rant against Arnab hardly matters.