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.
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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.
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