The India Today Group released a statement in response to the allegations of sexual misconduct against its executive editor and TV anchor, Gaurav Sawant on Monday, November 12. Sawant was accused of sexual assault by journalist Vidya Krishnan in an article published by The Caravan magazine.
As reported by an NDTV journalist, the India Today Group’s statement said, “The article is distressing to read. Unfortunately, we are in no position to comment on it or investigate the matter since Gaurav Sawant was not employed with us in 2003. Nevertheless, Mr Sawant has been asked to provide an explanation. Besides dismissing the allegations entirely, he has informed us that he is consulting lawyers to seek legal remedy.”
As Vidya’s horrific account makes headlines, NDTV asked India Today for a comment, they’ve said: “The article is distressing to read. Unfortunately, we are in no position to comment on it or investigate the matter since Gaurav Sawant was not employed with us in 2003 1/n https://t.co/q6ZeiTCudf
— Nidhi Razdan (@Nidhi) November 12, 2018
India Today statement :
“Nevertheless, Mr. Sawant has been asked to provide an explanation. Besides dismissing the allegations entirely, he has informed us that he is consulting lawyers to seek legal remedy 2/n
— Nidhi Razdan (@Nidhi) November 12, 2018
Meanwhile, Sawant took to Twitter to state that he has sought legal recourse to counter the allegations. He said, “The article published by Caravan is irresponsible, baseless, and completely false. I am talking to my lawyers and will take full legal action. (I am) so grateful to my family, friends, and viewers for their support.”
The article published by Caravan is irresponsible, baseless, and completely false. I am talking to my lawyers and will take full legal action. So grateful to my family, friends, and viewers for their support.
— GAURAV C SAWANT (@gauravcsawant) November 12, 2018
Twitter users found the India Today Group’s response less than satisfactory and minced no words in pointing the same out. Understandably, a correlation was made between Rahul Kanwal’s — news director for India Today and Aaj Tak — recent “simulated” skirmish with Maoists in Chhattisgarh, and how the organisation has lost its credentials within the spate of 24 hours.
Rahul Kanwal is a Simulator.
Gaurav Sawant is a Sexual Predator.
India Today’s reputation has crashed in the last 24 hours.
Reminded of the famous quote from the graphic novel Watchmen : ‘Who will watch the watchmen?’
— Adit¥∆ M∆€∆£ (@jhunjhunwala) November 12, 2018
Sure I get it: The current law on sexual harassment is designed to obstruct justice.
But @ India Today, are we going to still keep seeing Gaurav Sawant’s face while he pursues his legal actions?
Give him the ditch during that?https://t.co/VBY1di2KBw— Anoo Bhuyan (@AnooBhu) November 13, 2018
It’s so convenient for @IndiaToday to wash its hands from the responsibility. Shame! https://t.co/fuIENikYIa
— Poonam Agarwal (@poonamjourno) November 13, 2018
India Today’s statement is in this thread ???????? “#GauravSawant was not employed with us in 2003″ does not cut ice. If nothng else, do they not want to investigate whether he has been targeting women colleagues in a similar fashion while employed with IT? https://t.co/Cajbb7e8y0
— Anna MM Vetticad (@annavetticad) November 13, 2018
Rajdeep Sardesai who consults for the group was also brought into the fray and was questioned on where he stood on the matter:
@sardesairajdeep sir y no response for controversial deeds of rahul kanwal & gaurav sawant by India Today
— vikash purohit (@vikash_316) November 13, 2018
Is @IndiaToday going to throw out Gaurav Sawant or not??? Any comments @sardesairajdeep about this sansakari colleague of yours???
— Abhishek Kalra (@AbhishekKalra2) November 12, 2018
Twitter users have called for the Group CEO Aroon Purie to take a stand as had been done in their reporting of the MJ Akbar #MeToo saga.
So India Today’s evening primetime line-up now has an anchor accused of grievous sexual assault and another anchor who seemingly fabricated an entire segment out of thin air. I suggest @aroonpurie take a good look at the mssg that sends out about the India Today brand.
— Krishan Partap Singh (@RaisinaSeries) November 12, 2018
Hi @IndiaToday you continue to employ someone who has been accused of being a sexual predator. Is that an HR policy @aroonpurie ? https://t.co/5qUW2FOUJa
— Karuna John (@karunajohn) November 13, 2018
Calls for an independent inquiry at the very least @aroonpurie + @gauravcsawant suspended pending this inquiry. #TimesUp https://t.co/LHJ5kB9lSr
— Namita Bhandare (@namitabhandare) November 12, 2018
In the article published in The Caravan, Krishnan stated that Sawant sexually assaulted her in 2003 when they were travelling on a defence reporting assignment to Beas, Punjab. Krishnan, then a 20-year-old, was a part of the Pioneer. In the article Krishnan said that Sawant had claimed that he did not have anything “naughty” in mind, he “wanted to get into the bathtub” with Krishnan. Later Sawant came to her room, unzipped his pants and tried to force Krishnan’s hand on his penis. “He had not backed off… I had it made it very visible to him that this was an unwelcome advance. He had not backed off,” Krishnan said. “I felt like he was overpowering me, which is why in my panic I started screaming.”
Despite these denials and polite brush-offs, Krishnan has received support from Kanika Gahlaut, former weekend editor at Hindustan Times. In a tweet posted on Tuesday, November 13, Gahlaut said, “If it helps I can testify Gaurav Sawant is a pest. I look for discreet places to smoke. (I) found him behind some hedges at group conclave. He lunged. I gave it off to him. He (said), “C’mon when was last time you got any?” His justification for lunging — I’m single. That’s how sick his mind is.”
If it helps I can testify Gaurav Sawant is a pest.I look for discreet places to smoke.Found him behind some hedges at group conclave.He lunged.I gave it off to him.He: “cmon when was last time you got any”.His justification for lunging-i’m single. That’s how sick his mind is.
— Kanika Gahlaut (@kanikagahlaut) November 13, 2018
Also Read: #MeToo: Pallavi Gogoi Maintains Stand, Says MJ Akbar ‘Just Like Other Serial Sexual Abusers’