New Delhi: The controversial editor-in-chief of Sudarshan News, Suresh Chavhanke, has stoked yet another row, this time in Jharkhand.
Addressing a gathering of former ministers, MLAs, businessmen at Chanakya Hotel in Ranchi Monday, Chavhanke took an “oath” for the “economic boycott” of “rioters” and “traitors”.
Sharing a clip of the “oath”, which he said was the start of a “historic campaign”, Chavhanke asked his Twitter followers to film similar videos and share them.
मेयर, पूर्व मंत्री, विधायक, व्यापारी और उद्योगपतियों के साथ कई गणमान्यों ने ली दंगाईयों के #आर्थिक_बहिष्कार की शपथ.
राँची का चाणक्य होटल बना ऐतिहासिक मुहिम का गवाह। आप भी शपथ ले और वीडियो हमें भेजें। pic.twitter.com/p9YF3PwYVA
— Suresh Chavhanke “Sudarshan News” (@SureshChavhanke) March 9, 2020
In the video, Chavhanke can be seen telling his audience that no one should buy goods from “those who killed their brothers”. The latter, he said, should not be given jobs either.
Also read: Left and liberals should stop looking for the perfect victim in Delhi riots
Soren orders police probe
Soon after the video went viral, several people protested with the hashtag #ArrestSureshChavhanke and appealed to Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren to take action against Chavhanke.
Dear @HemantSorenJMM Ji
Suresh Chavhanke is a person of terrorist thinking. Muslim religion is targeted under the guise of journalism, this can lead to communal riots. Arrest this rioter immediately The journalist should have a pen, not a gun. #ArrestSureshChavhanke pic.twitter.com/IQ4H4057iv
— Sanjay Meena (@SanjayUkroond) March 9, 2020
https://twitter.com/HansrajMeena/status/1236955926084456448?s=20
Soren promptly responded, saying he had taken cognisance of the matter and that his government had “zero tolerance” towards anyone attempting to disrupt “communal harmony and brotherhood” in the state.
The Govt has taken cognisance of the event & this particular 'speech'. .@JharkhandPolice is investigating the matter & appropriate action as deemed fit will be taken soon There will be 'Zero Tolerance' for anyone who attempts to disrupt communal harmony & brotherhood in Jharkhand https://t.co/fu1bDQ1Wvc
— Hemant Soren (घर में रहें – सुरक्षित रहें) (@HemantSorenJMM) March 9, 2020
Chavhanke hit back, asking whether scripts for TV shows in Jharkhand required pre-approval. He defended his speech and said he filmed his TV show as part of his “constitutional right”, using “constitutional language”.
CM @HemantSoreng ji, झारखंड में TV शो करना हो तो क्या स्क्रिप्ट पहले पास करवानी होगी ?
मैंने संवैधानिक अधिकारों के तहत संवैधानिक भाषा में अपना टीवी शो किया है. अभी तो शो चला भी नहीं और आपके ट्विटर चलाने वाले मियाँ @JharkhandPolice को जाँच के आदेश दे रहे हैं. ! @JharkhandCMO https://t.co/cD7Q8c5coL
— Suresh Chavhanke “Sudarshan News” (@SureshChavhanke) March 9, 2020
Known for making controversial remarks
This is not the first time Chavhanke has found himself in trouble.
The long-time RSS supporter, who had once said there was nothing wrong in practising journalism with ideology, has often courted controversy for his anti-Muslim remarks.
In 2017, Chavhanke was arrested for allegedly stoking communal passions in Sambhal, UP, through multiple programmes at a time when the area was already tense.
He also made headlines in 2017 with a job advertisement for Sudarshan News that said Muslims couldn’t apply for the positions.
Also read: Why the root of Delhi’s Hindu-Muslim riots is a malevolent creeper planted by Supreme Court
All my sympathies to Suresh Chavhanke for being able to call a spade, A SPADE. This is for all the tail between the legs journalists. Who can act like you are smart. But WE KNOW….yeh Jo public hai yeh San jaanti hai….GO BACK HYPOCRITS
I fully endorse the actions of Suresh Chavanke. This is how it should be done in case of every rioter. Those who throw stones, kill policemen, burn public property deserve no better. They should be socially boycotted for life. Everytime these rioters get away because the pliant media raised on Congress doles protects the rioters and all those who stash acid bombs, petrol bombs, spears, stones and other inflammable material on their terraces and attack others, killing them and destroying families. Media’s silent on the brutal killing of Ankit, the IB officer, Ratanlal the policeman and many others by the rioters is well known. If a particular community is allowed to go get scot free inspite of auch dastardly acts then it will be further emboldened. I welcome the suggestion of Suresh Chavanke. There is nothing controversial in this.
First of all, you should stop taking petrol and oil from traitor countries all of who supply oil and petrol. Every single drop of petrol and oil comes from these ‘traitor’ and Jihadi countries must be completely stopped. In fact, a letter must be drafted telling all Jihadi countries to completely stop their supply of oil to us. Secondly, they must completely suspend and withdraw any investments that they have or are planning to have with us. How is that for a beginning?
This is a welcome initiative.
These rioters and anti nationals kill law abiding citizens, loot n plunder and burn their business down including public property.
Afterwards cry victim.
Demarcating houses and businesses as anti caa and no nrc places and targeting the remaining majority of properties shows their agenda and extensive planning.
Up high court has already come forward in protecting their liberty all the while ignoring the mayhem plundered on the majority.
This is the best civil disobedience to defeat these jihadis and communal elements.