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Mumbai: Just days after unfolding the saga of Palghar lynching, Editor-in-Chief of Republic Media Network, Arnab Goswami was reportedly attacked by some miscreants stated to be 'youth Congress goons' in Mumbai while he was driving back home from his studio with his wife late Wednesday night. Soon after the incident, Arnab issued a video message blaming the Congress supremo for orchestrating the attack.
#SoniaGoonsAttackArnab | WATCH: Arnab narrates the physical attack on him by Congress goons https://t.co/ehkpNESnKV pic.twitter.com/uMMaVQVfmy
— Republic (@republic) April 22, 2020
As per Republic TV reports, the attack took place at Ganpatrao Kadam Marg, just a short distance away from Arnab's house, as he and his wife - Republic TV Editor Samyabrata Ray Goswami - were driving back in their Toyota Corolla.
The miscreants, who used their bike to block Arnab's car and took a good hard look to identify him in the front seat before launching their attack, were caught by Arnab's security and are now in the custody of the Mumbai Police. They confessed to Arnab's security that they had been sent by Congress party higher-ups to teach him a lesson.
This comes after Arnab had questioned Congress president Sonia Gandhi in his debate mere hours earlier.
Later in the night, Arnab went to the nearby police station to file a complaint.
Reportedly, an FIR registered by NM Joshi Marg Police station under sec 341 (Punishment for wrongful restraint) and 504 (Intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace) of IPC based on the complaint, informed Mumbai Zone 3 DCP.
According to reports, police have arrested 2 people in connection with case, reported ANI.
#UPDATE 2 people arrested in connection with the attack on Arnab Goswami & his wife. FIR registered by NM Joshi Marg Police station under sec 341 (Punishment for wrongful restraint) and 504 (Intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace) of IPC: DCP Zone 3 #Mumbai https://t.co/zBarBKk4m6
— ANI (@ANI) April 23, 2020
Meanwhile, Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar has condemned the attack incident.
"We condemn the attempt to attack Arnab Goswami. We condemn every attack on any journalist. This is against democracy and it is really ironical that those who preach tolerance have become so intolerant. Therefore we condemn this attempt," said Javadekar to ANI.
"We appeal to the collective wisdom that this is undemocratic and as per present law Police definitely takes action if there is a complaint," added Javadekar.
We appeal to the collective wisdom that this is undemocratic and as per present law Police definitely takes action if there is a complaint: Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar https://t.co/2ZVfxKCaPN
— ANI (@ANI) April 23, 2020
BJP National Spokesperson Sambit Patra also lashed out tweeting, "I condemn the violent attack on Mr Arnab Goswami & His Wife in Mumbai! This is not how street thuggery can take over Freedom of Expression. Maharashtra Government needs to seriously look into this. The perpetrators should not go unpunished."
I condemn the violent attack on Mr Arnab Goswami & His Wife in Mumbai!
This is not how street thuggery can take over Freedom of Expression.
Maharashtra Government needs to seriously look into this.
The perpetrators should not go unpunished!— Sambit Patra (@sambitswaraj) April 22, 2020
"Shocking to see Arnab Goswami attacked after Congress CMs publicly threatened him. Sad to see such public hounding of a journalist for his freedom of speech. Congress shows it is the party that brought Emergency and continues it’s rich tradition of trampling free speech," tweeted BJP National President JP Nadda.
Shocking to see Arnab Goswami attacked after Congress CMs publicly threatened him. Sad to see such public hounding of a journalist for his freedom of speech. Congress shows it is the party that brought Emergency and continues it’s rich tradition of trampling free speech.
— Jagat Prakash Nadda (@JPNadda) April 23, 2020
BJP Vice President Baijayant Jay Panda also condemned the attack.
I strongly condemn the attack on @republic TV’s #ArnabGoswami & his wife
That the perpetrators have apparently confessed belonging one of the oldest parties makes it worse
Neither is the #palgharlynching silence & hypocrisy acceptable, nor violence on those who call it out??
— Baijayant Jay Panda (@PandaJay) April 23, 2020
Republic TV’s Consulting Editor Major Gaurav Arya also took to Twitter to express condemnation over the attack.
Arnab and his wife were leaving the studio when they were attacked. The attackers have been apprehended and Arnab and his wife are safe.
They are trying to physically silence him now. This is going to be a long, long fight. And we will fight it, within the law, to the finish.
— Major Gaurav Arya (Retd) (@majorgauravarya) April 22, 2020
Renowned psephologist and Jan Ki Baat CEO Pradeep Bhandari showed his disapproval over the incident.
Friends!#ArnabGoswami and his wife have been attacked .They were leaving the studio at 12:15 am.Arnab was driving his car. The assailants have been caught. They threw objects at his car .
They admitted they were #Congress workers. #IsupportArnabGoswami@republic— Pradeep Bhandari(प्रदीप भंडारी) (@pradip103) April 22, 2020
The FIR in the Civil Lines police was filed on the complaint of state Congress chief Mohan Markam under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, relating to promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc and deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs.
In the complaint, Markam said that in his TV programme, the editor has instigated a crime and tried to disrupt communal harmony.
The Congress has also talked to Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, Maharashtra minister Balasahab Thorat said. "I condemn the attempts made by Arnab Goswami to communalise the unfortunate incident at Palghar & also the derogatory language used by him against @INCIndia President Sonia ji Gandhi. I have spoken to CM @OfficeofUT & HM @AnilDeshmukhNCP Strict action will be initiated against him," he said, in a tweet.
I condemn the attempts made by Arnab Goswami to communalise the unfortunate incident at Palghar & also the derogatory language used by him against @INCIndia President Sonia ji Gandhi
I have spoken to CM @OfficeofUT & HM @AnilDeshmukhNCP Strict action will be initiated against him— Balasaheb Thorat (@bb_thorat) April 22, 2020
Senior Odisha Congress Leader and MLA Narasingha Mishra has also filed a complaint against Arnab Goswami for hate-mongering and inciting communal violence.
Filed police complaint against @republic TV anchor Arnab Goswami for hate mongering and inciting communal violence. Creating social unrest under the guise of press freedom is unacceptable. #ArrestAntiIndiaArnab pic.twitter.com/f1jErjdR6S
— Narasingha Mishra (@NarasinghMishra) April 22, 2020
Congress has also initiated an online campaign against Goswami on various social media platforms.
(With Agency Inputs)