In a shocking incident that took place late in the night in the state capital Mumbai, Republic TV’s editor-in-chief was attacked by unnamed men while he was returning home with his wife in his car. Two of the men were later arrested.
The incident took place at the Ganpatrao Kadam Marg, few meters away from Goswami’s residence. Arnab later released a video message where he blamed the attack directly on the President of the Indian National Congress, Sonia Gandhi. He called her a coward for allegedly conspiring the attack against him. As per Arnab, the attackers belonged to the Youth Congress.
As per Goswami, the incident took place around 12:15 am when he was driving back home with his wife. A few meters away from his building, two bikes overtook his car and stopped him. As Goswami recalls, he was attacked by the two men with sticks in an attempt to break his window. Bottles were allegedly thrown at him. After some time, he managed to sneak out of the place and the two men were caught by his security guards.
Responses from Political leaders
Several leaders across the political spectrum have come out and condemned the event. BJP MLA Ram Kadam condemned the attack on Arnab and his wife. He further asked if Maharashtra government would include Sonia Gandhi’s name in FIR.
10 hours past the incident #ArnabAttacked Why is filing the FIR taking so long ? If this is what a journalist has to face what is going to happen to the common people ? @OfficeofUT @AnilDeshmukhNCP @AjitPawarSpeaks #SupportArnabGoswami #IndiaWithArnav
— Ram Kadam (@ramkadam) April 23, 2020
Another BJP leader GVL Narasimha Rao who frequently appears on Goswami’s debate also condemned the attack and called the incident a ‘shame’ on the Congress Party.
Strongly deplore Congress goons' attack on Arnab Goswami. I was on last night's debate on communal lynching of Hindu Sants in Palghar. For asking questions on Congress's silence on heinous crime, Sonia Cong unleashes Italian mafia style terror. Shame on @INCIndia#ArnabAttacked https://t.co/OEEtHhWai1
— GVL Narasimha Rao (@GVLNRAO) April 23, 2020
Another BJP leader Kirit Somaiya urged the Maharashtra government to punish the culprits while he put out a tweet condemning the incident.
We condemn #ArnabGoswamiAttacked request authorities strong action against the Gundas of Congress & protection to Arnab. I have requested Hon Governor Maharashtra & Mumbai Police Commissioner in this regard @BJP4India @BJP4Maharashtra pic.twitter.com/qYHwH3jpFV
— Kirit Somaiya (@KiritSomaiya) April 23, 2020
BJP MP from Karnataka, Shobha Karandlaje went a step ahead and stated that ‘speaking truth will always cost a life in Maharashtra’.
The lives of Hindu Sadhus & Journalists are under threat in @OfficeofUT's Maharashtra!
The cowardly and violent attack on #ArnabGoswami & his wife is highly condemnable.
Speaking TRUTH will cost you LIFE in Maharashtra, perpetrators must be punished!
— Shobha Karandlaje (@ShobhaBJP) April 23, 2020
The National Spokesperson of the Indian National Congress Party, Sanjay Jha put a tweet and accused Arnab of playing the victim card and asked him to ‘grow up’.
Let’s get this straight , #ArnabGoswami attacked Mrs Sonia Gandhi using vile, vicious and repugnant language to push one thing; #BJP’s dangerous communal propaganda. That’s the fundamental issue, religious polarisation.
Playing victim card is old strategy. Grow up, loser.
— Sanjay Jha (@JhaSanjay) April 23, 2020
The National Campaign Incharge of the Youth Congress, Srivatsa called the entire incident a ‘trick’ and an attempt to seek sympathy.
True to his B&D nature, Fattu Arnab is now scripting a story to garner sympathy for himself and avoid jail.
All these tricks won't help you Goswami. For instigating communal violence and defamatory statements, you are going to be arrested soon.#ArrestAntiIndiaArnab https://t.co/jAOfKXj76o
— Srivatsa (@srivatsayb) April 22, 2020
The Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Prakash Javdekar condemned the incident and said that such incidents should not happen in a democratic country like India.
