New Delhi: Hours after being granted interim bail by the Supreme Court, Republic TV Editor-in-Chief Arnab Goswami went on air late Wednesday night and hit out at Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray.
“Uddhav Thackeray, I have a message for you. You have been defeated,” said Goswami, in an address to colleagues and the audience from the Republic TV newsroom.
“Uddhav Thackeray, you arrested me in an old, fake case and did not even apologise to me,” he said, adding that the “game was on”.
Goswami was arrested on 4 November in a case of alleged abetment to suicide, dating back to 2018 and involving Anvay Naik, a Mumbai-based interior designer and his mother Kumud Naik. Naik and his mother were found dead on 5 August 2018 and in a suicide note found on the spot, he had accused Goswami and two others of failing to pay his dues.
The case was closed by Raigad Police in April 2019 apparently due to lack of evidence. In May this year, however, the Maharashtra home ministry announced a fresh investigation in the case on a complaint filed by Naik’s daughter, Adnya.
After his arrest, Goswami was sent to a 14-day judicial custody the same day by the chief judicial magistrate of the Alibaug trial court. He filed a plea with the Bombay High Court but after a six-hour-long marathon hearing the High Court refused to grant Goswami interim bail.
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‘I’m not alone’
On Wednesday night, Goswami also announced the expansion of the Republic Network in every state in multiple languages within a year and said that he would launch an international media venture within 16-17 months.
“Stop if you can, Uddhav Thackeray… I can also launch from jail and you can’t do anything,” Goswami said.
“Because I’m not alone… my team and people of India are with me…” he added.
He also launched a direct challenge at the chief minister, saying, “You can’t touch the Republic Media Network.”
“If you have a problem with our ideology, face-to-face fight on TV, in front of people and do not backstab. You made an illegal arrest and till now not even once you have apologised,” he said.
Goswami also noted that journalists and those working in media organisations were being treated like terrorists.
“Shame on you Uddhav Thackeray for doing this,” he said, adding that “we are not terrorists. You are the ones who think you can use and misuse the law.”
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‘People of India are with Republic Network’
Goswami also took on Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh in his address and said that he had earned the support of people with 24-25 years of hard work and journalism.
“People of India are with Republic Network, and not with you,” he noted.
Earlier, the Mumbai Police had registered a case against Republic TV and two other channels for allegedly manipulating TRP data to boost advertising revenues.
Later, the Mumbai Police had also booked senior editors and staff of the channel for airing news about a “revolt” within the force against Singh.
“I am proud of this channel’s reportage in the Hathras rape case, actor Sushant Singh Rajput’s suicide case and on the lynching of saints on Palghar earlier this year,” said Goswami.
He also noted that he did not owe an explanation to any politician who had a problem with his channel’s journalism.
Goswami thanked his team and said he is “out there” because his team kept the fight going for the last eight days, noting that his colleagues were “more courageous” than ever.
Also read: In Arnab Goswami’s arrest, the emergence of Uddhav 2.0
Though the BJP and RSS and arnab are hand in gloves, the Maharashtra govt showed him his way (laiky – status) which he deserved in 2018.
He thought nobody could touch him however truth always triumphs and pride does not last long for which he was punished for getting imprisoned.
It is surprising how vigorously and blatantly the BJP is supporting Arnab in a democratic country.
Stop watching Republic as fake news, instigating communal news is highlighted rather than highlighting the truth.
Unfortunately the media is tightly controlled by the BJP in India either directly or indirectly wherein the citizen of India should now wake up show them their way.
No one wants to touch ur channel love… Cause no one puts their hands in shit n get their hands dirty.. So congrats on having ur shitty channel back.. Go lick the shit and enjoy .. Or may b u have a chance y don’t u take a regulation this Diwali that u won’t show u scumbag face again or will u??
The picture shows Arnob as a Hindu fanatic with a Hitler salute !
he did not say “suicide” for Sushant Singh Rajput!! why are you lying and fabricating stuff…??
He was insane and thought that he would get sense after getting jailed but he remained the same idiot. Journalism is not about barking on the screen and insult ppl in debates if they negate Republic ways.
Same as Ms Sherwani.
We have worst and Communal Government at the Center that does fosters and tames Crooks like Arnab who spreads Fake news and Communal enemity in this great country ! We do not see any Vikas since 2014 but only BAKWAS !
Whether people of India is with you in Suicide abetting is not sure but Modi Government is with you as Pay Masters is known to everyone now after Bail granted by Supreme Court ! Now image of Supreme Court has already taken a beating in Ex-CJI Rajan Gogai, accepting political offer of Rajya Sabha Seat soon after pronouncing Ayodhya Verdict in favour of hardcore Hindutva groups under a Fascist regime !
“I am proud of this channel’s reportage in the Hathras rape case, actor Sushant Singh Rajput’s suicide case and on the lynching of saints on Palghar earlier this year,” said Goswami.
Cowswami claimed the saints were lynched by orders from the Vatican ! Only a Hindu numskull will believe that.
Arnob caters for the new breed of low IQ, angry Hindu – of which there are many. That is why India will remain in the Third World. Such Hindus have no idea what India’s standing is today in the world. Such Hindus want to be a world power, but don’t have the ability, as the best they can produce these days is delusional Hindus like Arnob, Modi, Shah etc.
In the coming years, there will be three superpowers – China, US and Russsia. The EU countries collectively will have good living, standards but they do not have military power. India will neither be a superpower, nor achieve decent living standards. Instead, it will be a sinking country in the thrall of Hindutva delusions. A country of 1 billion can produce only an uneducated chai wallah as PM. And even when educated in Oxford like Arnob, they sink to the guttter. Still, many Hindus do not realise how poorly India compares with other nations, they want to believe Arnob and Modi are making India a power.
His channel is already broadcast abroad, but there are civic complaints launched to broadcasting standards abroad and he is being investigated. Everywhere is not corrupt like India. Other countries do not allow hate speech and communalism.
Arnob’s writ and ‘Hindu nationalism’ will run in BJP states only.
Congratulations Arnab
You are Subhash of journalism
I salute you
Jai Hind
Your arrest (and these type of arrest) clearly shows that
CrPC Section 41(b) (ii) (b) is very vague says –
“Arrest is necessary for proper investigation of the offense”
(It should be more specific and detailed )
संजय अग्निहोत्री
उपन्यासकर
sanjayagnihotri.com
Completely agree
We inspaire your dare and truth life thanks ,i kannadiga and namakargalu arnab bhai,
You are a low IQ, uneducated Hindu. Of course, there are many. But not all Hindus are uniformly stupid to buy Arnob.
If he goes to jail and gets killed , would you be ready to take care of his family ?Republic TVthough they speak exaggerated truth , they bark like dogs. Hope that’s not journalism is some thing better than that!!
I wish I had the skills of Vir Das, I’d do a comedy series only on Republic TV. Turn the noise and anger into laughter and fun. The 7000 Bihari viewers, their national hero and 7 and half shrill sychophants with earpieces who are repeatedly told to shut up and listen to me provides enough material for laughter🤣🤣🤣
AG is no longer a journalist. He is now a politician, primarily attacking the incumbent in Maharashtra. We will miss the journalist AG.
200% Correct
You are talking some sense here. AG was a journalist ?
I really wonder how Arnab can challenge like these .
Why does the Supreme Court allow these kind of arrogant speeches & divisive and disturbing news.
The Supreme ruling is that like or dislike of a news channel is a personnel matter and if you don’t like, please switch off the TV. channel.
Wow you are talking quite sense, at least one in many.
Very unfortunate to hear such a things from Goswami. BJP political patronage made him to behave as a mad man. Everybody knows how the everyday affairs are conducted in India. It is Gahdiji India and the truth will win finally
He is very insane, I don’t like the way they do journalism
The BJP and RSS are using Arnabs shoulders to hit the Mah govt,since they lost power in the state.
It is surprising how vigorously and blatantly the BJP is supporting Arnab.
They even hired Mr Salve to defend him.
The Mah govt should hit back and ensure thhat Arnab and Republic are kept in check from streaming communal and pro bjp propoganda on
the channel.
Unfortunately the media is tightly controlled by the BJP in India either directly or indirectly
They should reopen the Justice Lohia case, some of the BJP’s skeletons would come out.
Neither ruling one at Cantre or Maha are unscrupulous. If one is shouldering a journalist then that journalist should have common sense what to allow on the shoulder and be a proper journalist. He will die a dog’s death very soon… it’s better atleat now he stays out of all this slush.
The irony is that after Supreme Court listed his case very early which it doesn’t do for other cases, it also put it in the court of Justice Chandrachur, the most democratic of judges.
So it’s strange that Arnab Goswami who envisions a television channel and nation which doesn’t support democratic and liberal values was freed by a judge who believes in secular and liberal values.
Elite comment
One particular Mumbai policeman will soon take up a new posting as traffic constable.
Is this news????