Hundreds of infuriated people in Patna protested on Monday, March 5 against news channel Republic Bharat, the Hindi arm of Arnab Goswami-led Republic TV, accusing the media outlet of spreading lies and propaganda.
Per a report by MediaVigil, the protest was led by members of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribe communities, who were anguished at the channel’s biased reporting and fanning of communal hatred.
Reportedly, Republic Bharat had organised a debate in Maurya Lok Complex in Patna, on the 13-point UGC roster system. For the debate, the channel had invite spokespersons of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Janata Dal (United), Nikhil Anand and Ajay Alok respectively, along with individuals from around the state who are opposed to the 13-point system of reservation of faculty posts in universities.
However, the debate reportedly took an unlikely turn when the news anchor brought Hindu-Muslim and India-Pakistan as the centerstage issues. Those present in the audience objected to the communalisation of the issue, following which, the anchor reportedly shut down their objection.
Soon after, people began chanting slogans and protested outside the complex, accusing the channel of “taking money” and singing praises of Narendra Modi.
The angered protestors even tried to torch an Outside Broadcasting (OB) van of the channel, however, police intervened and manage to quell the protests.
In another video posted by a Facebook user, protestors can be heard saying “Paisa khaa khaa kar Modi, Modi kar raha hai (The channel takes money to chant Modi, Modi)” and chanting “Republic TV murdabad”.
Also Read: Assam: Sexual Harassment FIR Filed Against Republic TV Correspondent