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
Majority Indians fully support Arnab because he is honest, forthright, gutsy, intelligent, and on the side of Dharma. Sonia and Congress are satanic people, enemies of India and are hand in gloves with Pakistan. They have zero moral ground to file FIR’s against Arnab. Indians are worried about Arnab’s safety because Congress is full of murderous crooks.
Jo baate sahi hai usko koi chupa nahi sakta modi ji ko sare log milkar gali dete hai us samay koi Fir nahi hoti logo ko desh ke pradhan mantri se koi dar nahi
Anna’s views are biased and far from right reasoning. He needs to develop an attitude to see facts in right perspective.
Really disgusting to read about complaints against Arnab. I am with him regardless.
Sonia Gandhi killing the aspiration of the Congress party. Her Hindu hate attitude is damaging future of congress. She is fully responsible for such humiliating defeat of the congress party for successive two terms. Congress party under Sonia Gandhi does not show any indication of improving. Moreover she made it to understand that no free speech is allowed under congress umbrella. Anybody raising any issue relating Sonia and her family will be punished. These all are damaging the party future. Now it is social media era and nothing can be hidden as it was used to be during Indira or Nehru time.
Wow wow sami
Pandemonium prevails on Republic tv
Than anywhere in the world
Sonia of Italian Mufia parents has started choking free speech in India. Her hatred racial attitude is out now. The great Nehru dynasty congress party under this Mufia Sonia doing everything to murder the most reputed journalist of India. This is shame to the congress party and its leaders that hate free speech in India.
Republic TV , times now, all these biases channels needs to banned starting from Arnabs channel and Arnab Goswami should be put behind bars for 7 yrs for hate speech, communalism, and degotary remarks
If d opposing politicians can abuse our PM in cheapest language..
den ..y ppl think some politicians r untouchable.. what is wrong !!? Is Der any politician fell from heaven..? Give respect n take respect shd b d principle…(if at all Arnav got support from ppl it is for his honesty n straight forwardnessn..) politicians shd keep it in mind dat nobody cares in which car u r going ..how much property u HV ..how much rich u r ..people love honesty n simplicity.. if u r d deserved person definitely u get respect y hangama on abuse …..after all it’s debate..no?
U want freedom of speech ..but can’t take it from others?
1984 was also “spontaneous” and “outrage.” It’s this party’s culture. You cannot point fingers at The Family. Seems freedom to abuse is exclusive to the party.
Truly a sad day for Indian journalism that this man whose open defaecation is done through his mouth has become the face of Indian journalism. Thanks to the BJP and its middle class Modi worshippers…
Why on earth someone will attack arnab? India wants to know?
He never did any sting operation against any powerful source so why someone will attack him now?
But it a good tactics to get the TRP coz other news are gaining more popularity
Great selection of words by The Print. They always come up with an exceptional view which is always against the truth and in favour of left wingers or people causing damage to national cause. I think The Print should clarify their instance on attacking a journalist. But I know Print’s hypocrisy will prevail.
What do you think the term “allegedly attacked” stands for in this article. You choose very precise words and that amuses me but bothers me too. The way your journalism and your partners are working in the nation you guys shall be made responsible for flirting with the future of democracy.
Standing ovation to the print pl.
Arnab forget that he is a journalism not a particular political party member.
As Indian we should avoid Such type of Godi Media Journalism of Aranab Goswami,For the last 100 years we indian are more better then this Godi Media Who came Just Seven years before power, and Diverting Indian Sentiment from Development and Peace to Hate Speech and Hate Sentiment .
We indian will Stop CronaVirus and Godi Media Virus also,
Sare Jaha Se Accha Hindustan Hamara….
Journalism is one of the 4 main pillars of Loktantra.It is good to reflect the face of society.It is better to speak on the burning issues.But it is excellent not to be provocative.It is better to control the emotions.And then the best to present it responsibly.Thanks and regards…
I want to know how Arnab shouts to the opposites in debate.
Shame for the participants on his debate
Well, Arnab Goswami does not indulge in debates. His programmes are slanging matches where he arrogates to himself the right to scream loudest. Indian journalism’s bright face indeed ..
Shame on you for justifying attack on goswami .
He rightly questioned why killing of sadhus were not condemned and adequately covered .
You are the filthy scum who think it is just to gag free dpeech of someone just because you don’t like them .
You don’t belong to this nation . Go to north korea , fkin dog.
Is there any meaning and any linkage related to the Lynchings and killings to the Congress party or it’s leaders? This mindless Arnab Goswami must be treated in a world famous Mental Hospital.
Unlikely to happen Mt Prasanna Kumar.
Arnab Goswami is the BJP’s paid pitbull who attacks, abuses and screams at thos that oppose the BJP and its Führer. And the courts know that and treat him with kid gloves. Compare that with how Siddharth Varadarajan of The Wire got treated by the Adityanath government for having reported facts about Adityanath violating lockdown regulations.
Sadly, a hot air belching, rabble-rousing thug straight out of the Goebbels playbook has become the face of Indian journalism.
Arnab Goswami is a bikau media of the ruling politician. He is a fake news propaganda specialist.
Arnab we are with you…. don’t worry about these perverted and Anti India people
Language whatever used should be careful now a days you can’t say always fake in every matter. our Beloved PM will not spare Guilty person even he is very respectful or ordinary Citizen.our PM will not compromise if it comes to him.i respect him for his Right assessment.
Arnab has exceeded his limit. He has made personal attack against Madam Sonia Gandhi and accused as”coward”. So, this is not freedom of speech or Press freedom. In the name of press freedom, he is blabbering in his TV. So, other Journalists should not come to his help.
Sonia called Modi Maut ka Saudagar. What Arnab called Sonia is very mild, and true. So, what is the problem?
The DCP also appears to be a spineless creature.
If young IPS officers grovel as sycophants to their political bosses, God alone can save our country.
Congress is getting tit for Congress days are numbered. With Congress having no leader up to the mark and papu being rejected by every stage , BJP with leadership of Hon PM Narendra Modiji in 2024 lok sabha elections will get 400+ seat the absolute mejority.
This paid barking dog of RSS, Arnab shoud be hanged till death or beheaded in public so that other such harmful animals for humanity should get proper lessons.
In this country some peple of every sphere of life feel they r above the law of land.Right thinking people should loudly condemn them.Indian human values with Sanatani background,as Swami Vivekananda spoke must be upheld.For the time being freedom of speech n unscrupulous politicians n their leaders should be on hold so long they do not learn n understand what Democracy means.
Congress is getting tit for tat.
What happened to freedom of speech? Modi has been subjected to vile freedom of expression a lot of time.Is there any above law? Is untouchable what you mean.This is democracy.
Arnab is right in raising the issue of lynching of three saints by gory fanatics only because they wore saffron robes. How the crowd concluded the saints were criminals ? How the police allowed the villagers to gather during the lockdown ? As it was not enough, the police itself handed the three over to the crowd to do justice.
Murder of three saints is not sufficient for so called pseudo-secularists to condemn the mob lynching . Since they see no benefit in it.They do not want to anger some from whom they get their sustenance, both political and financial.
Arnab’s words are blown out of proportion to divert the public attention from the mob lynching.They have now come out to muzzle the voice of voiceless. They are feeling affronted when they are asked the same questions which they champion.
This time we must get the answer .We must not be cowed down by the might of these pseudo-secularists and uncover them.We can take a lesson from revered Anna Hazare, an unarmed old powerless man, who forced the then government of the country to stoop before it.
We must do our utmost to get justice for the saints.And since Arnab is fighting for the hapless saints we must support him.
There is the left-media who continue to hide truth & feed us their spin doctored narrative. Abusing & attacking Hindu & Hinduism is their favourite act. Rioters are scholars & tukde tukde is FOS/FOE
Arnab was the much needed relief to all Indic religion followers who were breathless from attack after fake attack from Fake News peddlers, the 10JP brigade.
Carry on Arnab, billions are with you as you expose those who were/are never questioned by Liberal Left Leaning Press Walas.
Anyone filing an FIR May have to submit an affidavit from the person as authority for whom they are filing FIR. Legal sanctity of such FIR’s needs to be ascertained.
First of all Arnab does not have Etiquette, he only shouts in the news and even in debates. He should learn from Mr pranoy Roy how to do the debate and read the news. He think he is the only righteous person in the media section.
Ever since the COVID.19 became global the Jndian media has also become activised and focussed.. While.the Opposition.Parties have.a right to raise issues where, according.to.them, the ruling Government has gone wrong.. Instead, an.impartial observer is.compelled to say that even.in important cases, where.the.issues were discussed threadbare,.and the Bills passed and Presidential.assent is obtained, wich, then, becomes an.Act. Every citizen is ecpected to strictly.abide by.the law. What we are.finding, however,.is that not even on good laws, the Opposition UPA has not.patted the.Government. This clearly does not behove a responsible Opposition. Similarly,.the Media.has the right to point out an erroneous.comnent on.any.of its member. The defence.may be aggressive (not physically.though), but.if the charges are grave and misleadng, but cannot be classified as wrong…The Congress, in.particular, has never been a gracious Opponent and has been doing everything possible by them and its allies, to.bring down, from day one, the BJP-led NDA.Government. Luckily.for the country, all.such.attempts by the Opposition, never succeeded. The.present.COVID-19’is a global.crisis, and includes India. The Government is doing.all.that it can.to effectively deal.with.this pandemic. If the Congress and ts Allies do not want.to.join.this united fight, together, they are free to do.so…But, they should not forget.that.the.people are solidly behind its Prime.Minister.
I feel the story has changed now…. It’s no longer the failure of the Maharashtra government to prevent the horrific attacks on the Sadhus in Palghar…..
Congress and its affiliates would have been better off keeping quiet than doing something stupid that they have done. Arnab, right or wrong has nothing to lose!! Even if he is forced to close down his channel, he would still survive. That’s not the case for Congress or its dependents.
They could have simply condemned the killing, even if they didn’t mean it, or just ignored his so called provocation to react. God knows who is advising Congress to commit one blunder after the other
You must be a happy man, Mr Shekhar.
I am shock to see intelligent guy like Arnab so radicalized and turned Bigot, or he is running some grand propaganda which we will know sometime later?
Arnab Goswami,is gone case,is a mad
FIR should be registered by Congress party members and supporters in every & all police station in India against Arnab Goswami because they can’t face in debate any where.
Arnab is just the head of godi media.. He leads fake journalism aggressively. You can see his report at the time of delhi election 2019 he was the saddest person when his party lost. He is a black spot on journalism
Arnab exposes those Lords of Indian Politics who have purchased many a PEN. His style may be rash, but his questions are pointed.
He is doing a great job if CON-Party-Gress want to muzzle him with FIRs. What an Irony that Pappu accuses Modiji on press freedom.
“Godi media” is just another misleading “Intolerant” invention.
India is a very beautiful country where everyone lives in peace and harmony, l request every one to love each other how we love our parents, children brothers and sisters, please respect the sentiments of all religions , this was the teachings of all the prophets.
Oh yeah blah blah blah he is just a puppet .
Arnob is a “mad ?”
Says who?
These were the people who were talking of intolerance!
What did Arnab do? He just asked Sonia to speak on Monk’s lunching, he did not abuse her or anything.
All sorts of abuses were thrown against Mr. Modi by her so called adorable son,’Pappu’and others like Digi, Derick, Mamta and many more to name. Which was actually abuses tnot to an individual but PM of the Country and it’s office. Wasn’t that an offence?
Gandhi family behaves as if they are untouchable and questionable. So who is intolerant.
Sonia is try to behave like a dictator, if she is trying to impose emergency when she is not in power just imagine, what will this family do if they come to power in center. One again they will impose emergency in the Country, like Indra did and put the entire media and opposition behind bars, then the freedom of speech will have have no meaning to them.
He does not deserve to be a journist first of all.
This article leaves no doubt who are actual masters of this website.
Arnab the most uneducated person in India
Absolutely no comments till our educated section of society thinks from heart,speak from heart,listen from heart discuss by heart so on n so forth.When stupid intellect takes over heart which is a store house of innocence,wonder,universal love….all these intellectual jokers will be a mere laughing stock in front of childlike Wonder ….shame on all of you n you can’t stand firm n can’t face your own hearts….let alone society n NATION….inshaallah.if possible face your heart….????
Why find fault Goswami. Every party if not in power talks something bad about the ruling party. Is congress is a party of saints. Except few all the politicians are thieves. So let us the law to take its own course
The courts too are controlled by the ruling party …
Arnab has been lost his mental’s balance, he has crossed all the limits, he must understand that this time is not for defaming any one or creating anarchy in the country but this is the time for fighting against COVID-19. He must ask government what it is doing to stop the chain of COVID-19 and what it can. But he is such a non-sense who trying to create anarchy!! SHAME ON YOU, ARnab!!!!!! Shame shame, you fool!!
Arnab doesnt need to shame those who have no respect and are shameless country sellers & scamsters. Congress & its scam ridden leadership must be exposed more, more & more. Their reign of terror during emergency must be exposed is detail. The shooting of sadhus in 1966 needs revisit. These are but a drop in the ocean.
Liberals , ohh how many awards for you to shed tears for pure & simple truth.
Isko mat maaro. Lekin sab milke, Iski maaro logo. Should take his case and prosecute to the fullest extent of law. This guy is a disgrace to Indian Journalism and media.