New Delhi: Prime time debate across English channels Wednesday only debated the Sushant Singh Rajput case after the Supreme Court ordered a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the matter. Such was the dedication that it seemed no other news was worth discussing in the country. However, the Hindi news channels focused on a range of topics – from Aaj Tak’s Sweta Singh looking at whether the CBI inquiry into Rajput’s case was a political tactic to Zee News’ Aditi Tyagi calling out Pakistan and other Islamic nations on their “double standards”. Meanwhile, India TV’s Rajat Sharma brought much needed attention to the floods in Bihar.
On CNN-News18 Marya Shakil on ‘NewsEpicentre’ spoke to late actor Jiah Khan’s mother about what a CBI probe signified and meant. Rabia Khan welcomed the verdict. She said, “I am very happy Sushant Singh’s case has gone to the CBI… It is very overwhelming news for me but it also reminds me how Bollywood icons sabotaged my investigation and pressurised CBI not to investigate (Jiah’s case).”
Also on the show was Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad. With him, Shakil brought up comments by the Shiv Sena in the past and asked, “Do you see this as very, very insensitive, telling a family which has lost its only son to be patient for justice?”
In a measured response, Prasad said, “I don’t want to make any political comments, leave those… but those whose kin are no more there sentiments needs to be respected.”
Debating the same topic on India Today, anchor Rajdeep Sardesai questioned BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra on his tweet about the impending fall of the Maharashtra government. He asked, “What does Sushant Singh Rajput’s case have to do with the Maharashtra government, Dr Patra?”
पहले महाराष्ट्र सरकार सो “रिया” था
फिर संजय राउत सुशांत परिवार को धो “रिया” था
अब मुंबई में सरकार रो “रिया” है
दोस्तों जल्दी ही सुनेंगे महाराष्ट्र सरकार जा “रिया” है।#महाराष्ट्रसरकार_रो_रिया_है— Sambit Patra (@sambitswaraj) August 19, 2020
Patra first explained his tweet and proceeded to say that the Maharashtra government was sleeping over the case. As Patra continued to explain, he was drowned out by Sardesai who said that is not what the SC observed, referring to the 35-page judgment into the matter by the apex court. Sardesai asked, “Do you want justice for Sushant or do you want to bring down the Thackerays?”
Patra lost his cool over not being allowed to speak and brought up Sardesai’s comments to Youtube channel Lallantop where he (Sardesai) allegedly said Rajput was an ordinary actor. Ouch.
The Rajput case was debated on Mirror Now too. It featured former DGP Bihar S.K. Bhardwaj said, “The Mumbai Police obstructed the probe from the very beginning. They should have made the post-mortem and inquest report public. The case must go to an independent agency and CBI is the best for that.”
BJP’s Tuhin Sinha said, “This is a very severe indictment of the Maharashtra government.”
Aaj Tak’s Sweta Singh also interviewed Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad. Singh asked, “There are a lot of things happening in Bihar, questions over how coronavirus is being tackled, relief measures amid floods in Bihar. With respect to CBI investigating Sushant Singh case, is it more for the electoral benefit of the government?’’
Prasad didn’t fall for this one. “No, absolutely not. I don’t think like that… The investigation of this case must be honest and must be kept separate from politics,” he added. Well, too late for that.
India TV’s Rajat Sharma played footage from the floods in Bihar where several villages had submerged leaving many homeless. He said, “People are angry that they have been going through difficulties for a month now but no-one is coming forward to help them.
Meanwhile, Zee TV’s Aditi Tyagi highlighted the apparent “double standards” of Muslims nations. She said, “In China, mosques are removed and toilets are constructed at their site. Despite the magnitude of this, Pakistan and other Islamic nations remain silent.
Tyagi wondered out loud, “Maybe, the Muslims living in China aren’t Muslims for these countries.