A large number of people, belonging to Shia, Sunni and Christian communities, have demanded the arrest of Aaj Tak news channel anchor Rohit Sardana for making a derogatory tweet. They staged a protest in front of the Old City police commissioner’s office at Purani Haveli in Hyderabad (Telangana).
Starsunfolded
The group, led by Shia cleric Nisar Hussain Hyder Agha, said the anchor has committed blasphemy for cheap publicity. They also demanded that the media outlet should fire Rohit Sardana.
अभिव्यक्ति की आज़ादी- फ़िल्मों के नाम सेक्सी दुर्गा, सेक्सी राधा रखने में ही है क्या? क्या आपने कभी सेक्सी फ़ातिमा, सेक्सी आएशा या सेक्सी मेरी जैसे नाम सुने हैं फ़िल्मों के? https://t.co/OkMFNz0AQE
— Rohit Sardana (@sardanarohit) November 16, 2017
As per media reports, Dabeerpura (one of the suburbs in the old city area of Hyderabad) Police have registered a criminal case under section 295 (A) of IPC. Apart from Hyderabad, police complaints were also filed against the journalist in Mumbai.
Another report suggested that Muslims scholars from across the country have condemned the tweet by Sardana.
After quitting as output editor at Zee News, Rohit Sardana recently joined Aaj Tak, a Hindi news channel owned by TV Today Network. Rohit Sardana, a firebrand anchor, was earlier the face of a popular show on Zee News called ‘Taal Thok Ke.’ He now hosts a show called ‘Dangal’ on Aaj Tak. He is known for his boldness and straight-forwardness, and his stand on topics of national importance.
Youtube
On November 22, 2017, he took to Twitter and said he and his family have been receiving death threats from anonymous people. He also appealed to Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister yogi Adityanath to take notice of such threats.
.@Uppolice @upcoprahul Please take note. @myogiadityanath @rajnathsingh pic.twitter.com/xMDuxMur5p
— Rohit Sardana (@sardanarohit) November 24, 2017
Dear @Uppolice @upcoprahul Kindly take note. He is one of the hundreds sending threatening texts.@myogiadityanath @rajnathsingh pic.twitter.com/ErbuHTE4H5
— Rohit Sardana (@sardanarohit) November 24, 2017
Meanwhile, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, has taken note of threatening tweets against Sardana. He tweeted:
Such threats are unlawful. Will follow up with State Police for action. What’s more disheartening is those laudest pseudo liberal secularists & fake champions of freedom of expression are silent? https://t.co/qjDyxjIiCj
— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) November 24, 2017
Twitterati too is giving their own take on this development:
रोहित जी मैं आपके साथ हूऔर हमेशा रहूंगा
सच की आवाज को कभी नहीं दबाया जा सकता और ना कोई दवा पाया है!— शानू पटेल (@pshanu015) November 24, 2017
इसको Z+दे दो।
ये इसलिए ही रो रहा है।— #अलाउद्दीन खिल्जी🦁 (@amiraazad7168) November 24, 2017
अब तक कितने जिहादियों को पकड़ा ये भी बताइये आखिर सरकार आपकी है साहब।
— Donald KimJong Trump (@ImArpanpathak) November 24, 2017
सत्य परेशान हो सकता है पराजीत नहि,
आपकी देश के प्रति निष्ठा और समाज को आइना दिखाने वाली निर्भीक पत्रकारिता ही आपकी ताक़त है , हम सभी आपके साथ है @sardanarohit ।
वन्दे मातरम । https://t.co/GBQCZDU93W— Maheish Girri (@MaheishGirri) November 24, 2017
.Yes even I felt the same, didn’t see ppl from media coming forward not even his own colleagues…level of hypocrisy seen…..#istandwithrohitsir
— Barkha Trehan (@trehan_barkha) November 24, 2017
मतलब समझे दया?
1. अभिव्यक्ति की आज़ादी सभी के लिए नहीं है
2. परिवार सिर्फ लिबरल पत्रकारों का है
3. हिंदू भावनाओं को आहत होने की इजाज़त नहीं है
4. स्क्रीन काली करने वाली स्याही सूख गई है
5. एडिटर्स गिल्ड फ़िलहाल छुट्टी पर है https://t.co/kxJAylASIx— Vedank Singh (@VedankSingh) November 24, 2017
Sick! No one can deter you from the truth. This only shows the mental bankruptcy of few. Stay strong Rohit!
— Vijay Goel (@VijayGoelBJP) November 24, 2017
