FIRs lodged against Republic TV’s Arnab Goswami for inciting communal hate, defaming Sonia Gandhi

Hours after several complaints were registered against Republic TV head and anchor Arnab Goswami in Chhattisgarh for spreading communal hatred, inciting violence and defaming Congress president Sonia Gandhi, Chhattisgarh police registered FIRs against him under sections 120 B (punishment of criminal conspiracy), 153 (giving provocation with intent to cause riot), 153 A (attacks upon the religion, race, language etc), 295 A (deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings) 298 (uttering, words with deliberate intent to wound the religious feelings), 500 (punishment for defamation) 505 (intent to incite clash between communities) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) on Wednesday.

Demanding “arrest” of the celebrated news anchor, several Congress leaders including cabinet ministers also lodged FIR against the TV journalist.

One of the FIRs that was lodged at Police Station Civil Lines, Raipur at the behest of cabinet minister TS Singh Deo alleged that Goswami was guilty of defaming Congress president Sonia Gandhi and disturbing communal harmony.

Deo alleged that Goswami in his show “Poochhta hai Bharat” aired on April 21 made inciting, inflammatory and defamatory statements during a debate on Palghar mob-lynching incident.

Another FIR registered at Civil Lines police station, Bilaspur also blamed Goswami for defaming Congress president Sonia Gandhi and inciting communal sentiments while debating Palghar mob-lynching case.

Lodged by Pramod Nayak, district Congress president Bilaspur, the FIR seeks action against Goswami, Republic TV and the company that owns the group under aforesaid sections of the Indian Penal Code.

Another complaint lodged by Chhatisgarh Congress spokesperson Kumar Raja that was converted into an FIR at Kotwali police station, Raipur said that Arnab’s “debates are full of poison and have shattered all principles of journalism”.

Referring to Arnab’s show, it alleged that Arnab was guilty of spreading communal hatred. “As declared by the Supreme Court of India, secularism is part of the basic structure of our Constitution and statements made by Arnab Goswami attack the very fabric of our Constitution,” said Raja in his FIR complaint.

“Arnab Goswami made unnecessary and baseless statements against the president of Indian National Congress Sonia Gandhi whereas he has defamed the Congress party in the country to see that the other parties and citizens of the nation especially Hindus create communal violence against the Muslims and Christian community,” alleged Raja.

Accusing Arnab for making derogatory, instigating and defamatory statement without applying his mind, FIR registered by Raja reads “…situation of the nation will be worsening whereby enmity between the Hindus and Muslims will widen and there is very likelihood of communal riots when the country is facing a tough situation COVID-19”.

Similarly, several other leaders and activists have filed complaints against Goswami, seeking stern against him and the channel.

Highly placed sources told NH that more complaints were likely to be converted into FIRs against Goswami on Thursday.