Through the complaint, the complainant has highlighted the casteist statements made by host Sudhir Chaudhary in regards to the Tribal political leader and his family. The complaint has stated “Chaudhary targeted the tribal minister for his purported wealth, cars and lifestyle, and was seemingly less concerned with the charges of money laundering levied against him. Justifying the title of the show, which purported the examination of the Soren family, the host has put forth a distorted image of a Tribal family enjoying wealth by misusing the votes given to the tribal politician based on his identity.”

Emphasising that the host has unnecessarily dragged the most marginalised ethnic and minority communities into an issue that did not warrant any scrutiny of the caste of a respected and beloved politician, the complaint also highlighted that the host did not once attempt to impartially examine what the “charges” are against him given that in his defence, the former chief minister has stated – as have his Supreme Court counsel—that his name does not figure (not does his family member’s) in the alleged “land scam” which too sates back to 2008-2009.

In the complaint, it has been stated that “The host let loose his biases in a diatribe, using stigmatising language and imagery as also innate prejudices (among the caste privileged) against the Tribal community cloud the role he is supposed to play in a news show that have a big viewership and following.”

The channel now has 7 days to respond to the complaint raised by CJP, or else the complainant will be escalating the same with the News Broadcasting Digital and Standards Authority (NBDSA).

The complete complaint can be read here:

Related:

Sudhir Chaudhary’s castiest diatribe against Hemant Soren following his resignation causes uproar, complaint filed by Tribal body

CJP complaint to Aaj Tak for airing show using the term “Mazaar Jihad”

CJP has filed a complaint in the NBDSA urging action against the divisive narrative in Sudhir Chaudhary’s show on Aaj Tak

CJP’s NBDSA Complaints 2023: A look at the repeated violation of ethics and guidelines by Indian television channels

The post CJP sends complaint to Aaj Tak to remove contentious ‘Black and White Show’ on Hemant Soren from YouTube appeared first on SabrangIndia.

Drama continued over the past few days, after the Supreme Court refused to entertain an Article 32 petition against what has been described as an unsubstantiated notice, unlawful summons and mala fide arrest, Soren approached the High Court.

Given the track record of the aggressive ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), speculations had begun circulating of whether the Jharkand Mukti Morcha (JMM) and its allies (Indian National Congress and CPI-M) would pass the floor test scheduled today, Monday, February 5. Not only did the Jharkhand government, headed by chief minister Champai Soren on Monday successfully secure a vote of confidence in the state Assembly with the coalition government achieved a 47:29 majority during the floor test.

Former CM Hemant Soren thereafter took social media by storm with his speech made on the floor of the Assembly. (Despite all efforts by the ED, the former chief minister participated today in the special session of the Jharkhand State Legislative Assembly today and voted in the floor test for the government of CM Champai Soren, as permitted by the special court in Jharkhand on February 3).

Hemant Soren’s speech:

“Jharkhand Speaker, Sir, this is a state of the country where countless soldiers from tribal and Dalit backward classes have sacrificed their lives to save the lives of the Tribals and Dalits here. These people did not even dream of independence for the country.

Mr. Speaker, since then the Tribals (Adivasis) of Jharkhand have been fighting for their rights. ‘They’ came in much later but till date these people have not been able to wear the Gandhi cap of the country due to intellectual prosperity and economic prosperity. Speaker Sir, ED, CBI, Income Tax are called very ‘special’ and ‘very sensitive institutions’ of the country.

“Where ‘their associates’ are sitting abroad after having spent crores of rupees, 12 lakhs, 14 lakh crores, ‘they’ do not have the capacity to recover (the spoils) even a single penny of this (largesse). ‘They’ have power over the country’s Adivasis (tribals), Dalits, Backwards, Minorities and innocent people; if ‘they’ had even committed a crime then it is a different matter, ‘they are torturing innocents.’

Why did you arrest me today, Mr Speaker, on the 8.30 acre land scam? If you have the courage then show me one piece of paper, proof, on the floor of the House that this 8.30 acre plot of land is in the name of Hemant Soren! If this happens, I will resign from politics from that day on. Give this to me.

Mr. Speaker, when it is not politically correct or provable, they attack from behind,`attack from the back.”

The Video may be viewed here

This address of Hemant Soren in Jharkhand assembly will go down in history as one of the most powerful speeches in legislative history.

SCs, STs, backwards will rise and reclaim their rightful place. pic.twitter.com/iwzv37wtHj

— Anshuman Sail Nehru (@AnshumanSail) February 5, 2024

Today was Jharkand’s and Hemant Soren’s day on social media.

Five hours back, senior journalist, Urmilesh had this to say on ‘X’ formelrly twitter

अब तक Hemant Soren एक राज्य के मुख्य मंत्री थे..पर अब वह देश के एक बड़े नेता बन चुके हैं..आदिवासियों, दलितों और पिछड़ों के रहनुमा! pic.twitter.com/cx0wr7PYdR

— urmilesh (@UrmileshJ) February 5, 2024

अब तक Hemant Soren एक राज्य के मुख्य मंत्री थे..पर अब वह देश के एक बड़े नेता बन चुके हैं..आदिवासियों, दलितों और पिछड़ों के रहनुमा!

Until today Hemant Soren was a chief minister, now he is a messiah like leader of Adivasis, Dalits and Backwards for the whole of India

Related:

Sudhir Chaudhary tenders “unconditional apology” for hurting Adivasi sentiments, brushes off any responsibility, decries “vested interests of rich netas”

The post From a former CM to a symbol of Adivasi resistance: Hemant Soren’s statement in Jharkand Assembly appeared first on SabrangIndia.

It is essential to note that while the said clip of this self-styled news anchor had gone viral, in his whole 50 minutes news segment that had aired on January 31, Chaudhary made even worse comments targeting the tribal former minister and his family, stating that since the Soren family lives such a “lavish life”, they “do not have the Adivasi touch anymore”. He even questioned whether this wealthy tribal family should be given reservation. Details of the same can be found here.

Today, an unconditional apology statement had been released by Chaudhary for unintentionally hurting the sentiments of the Adivasi community. In the statement, he had said, “I am pained to see baseless charges of insulting tribals directed against me. Criticising Hemant Soren does not tantamount to criticism or insult of tribals. My show focused on how tribal votes are being misused by rich netas. The short video clip being shared by vested interests changes the context of my story to give a misleading message. I have always supported and respected tribals and they have always shown their love to me and my shows.”

He has further stated that “I’m not answerable to everyone who has a Twitter (X) account, but I feel it is my duty to explain myself to my adivasi brothers and sisters. If I have unintentionally hurt their sentiments, I unconditionally apologise to them.”

The statement can be read here:

Here’s my statement in response to all hateful posts directed at me for my show on Hemant Soren’s arrest. pic.twitter.com/IV62wgHwjt

— Sudhir Chaudhary (@sudhirchaudhary) February 3, 2024

As expected, Chaudhary has brushed aside all the onus of attacking a tribal family for their identity while discussing a case of allegations of money laundering and has termed the charges against him as “baseless”. Deeming the same to be an issue taken out of context by “rich netas”, something that Chaudhary himself frequently indulges in, he has not taken the responsibility of the statements made by him. Hiding behind the excuse of vested interests changing the context of his story to give a misleading message, Chaudhary has refused to acknowledge the issue behind the casteist statements made by him.

It is pertinent to highlight here that even after have issued “unconditional apologies”, the ‘x’ (formerly Twitter) account of Aaj Tak still has the 5-minute clip of Chaudhary dissecting the wealth of the Soren family and uttering the preposterous and demeaning statement up on their social media.

क्या आज की रात हेमंत सोरेन के लिए बहुत मुश्किल होने वाली है?#HemantSoren #JharkhandCM #BlackAndWhiteOnAajTak #Jharkhand @sudhirchaudhary (@chitraaum) pic.twitter.com/VHNOTAL1Rd

— AajTak (@aajtak) January 31, 2024

In addition to this, the Youtube channel of Aaj Tak has not removed the video of the 50-minute programme.

Related:

Sudhir Chaudhary’s castiest diatribe against Hemant Soren following his resignation causes uproar, complaint filed by Tribal body

CJP Impact! NBDSA orders AAJ TAK’s Sudhir Chaudhary show to be pulled down, censors second

Another Sudhir Chaudhary show under the scanner for using the term ‘Mazaar Jihad’

CJP has filed a complaint in the NBDSA urging action against the divisive narrative in Sudhir Chaudhary’s show on Aaj Tak

CJP files complaint against Sudhir Chaudhary’s show on Aaj Tak for its communal narrative

The post Sudhir Chaudhary tenders “unconditional apology” for hurting Adivasi sentiments, brushes off any responsibility, decries “vested interests of rich netas” appeared first on SabrangIndia.

That the arrest was of an opposition leader, Chaudhary –and this anchor has acted as an arm of the present union government –he left no stone unturned to make accusatory comments against Soren, leader of the Jharkand Mukti Morcha (JMM). In his 50 minute ‘Black and White’ show on Aaj Tak, Chaudhary targeted the tribal minister for his purported wealth, cars and lifestyle, and was seemingly less concerned with the charges of money levied against him. Even the title of the show was “Soren परिवार का विश्लेषण (examining the Soren family)”. The show concentrated on “examining” the wealth of the Soren family. While criticising Soren, Chaudhary uses casteist language with regards to Soren based on his tribal (Adivasi) identity. For example, he says in one controversial remark that has generated a sharp response that the former Tribal minister will find it difficult in jail, as he is more used to live (just) 40 years back in the jungle (forest) as Adivasi, but now he is used to a luxurious life!

An uproar followed on social media as a clip from the said media show, wherein Chaudhary could be heard making the said statement, did the rounds. In the said clip, Chaudhary can be seen referring to his colleague and making the following statement: “Chitra aap hume ye bataiye ki Hemant Soren bahar aaye ya nahi aaye aur ab Aaj ki raat unki kaha betegi.. unhe toh shandar lifestyle ki aadat hai aur wo private planes me chalte Hain.. badi badi gadiyon me chalte Hain…Aaj unke liye ek tarike se waise hi hoga jaise woh bees tees chalis saal pehle wapis apne kisi Adivasi ke taur par kisi jungle mei chale jaye. Aaj ki raat kafi mushkil hone wali hai. (Chitra, tell us whether Hemant Soren will come out tonight, where will he be spending the night? He has become so accustomed to such a lavish lifestyle where he travels in private planes, he gets to travel in big cars. Tonight will be like one of those days from 20/30/40 years ago when he (and his tribe) lived in jungles as Adivasis. Tonight is going to be very difficult.)”

The video can be viewed here:

आदिवासी जल,ज़मीन,जंगल के रक्षक है जंगली नहीं। #ArrestSudhirChaudhary pic.twitter.com/CzWnUXITyo

— Tribal Army (@TribalArmy) February 2, 2024

These statements, which are both ethically problematic also attract criminal sections of the Indian Penal law as standalone statements too, especially when adjudged with the accompanying offensive words used by Chaudhary. The tone and tenor of these statements show that Chaudhary’s targeting on Soren was due to his enjoyment of wealth *despite* his marginalised identity. More details of the show are provided below. 

It is essential to note that a complaint has been filed against Chaudhary under the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 for the indecent and derogatory comments made by him against Hemant Soren. The said complaint has been filed by the Aadivasi Sena in Ranchi. At the time of writing this report, the First Information Report (FIR) is yet to be registered.

What the show entails

The show begins with Sudhir Chaudhary commenting on the resignation of former CM and leader of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) Hemant Soren by Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the nomination of party loyalist and state transport minister Champai Soren as his successor. It is essential to note that during the show, visuals of Hemant Soren being accompanied by the a few people in a car and entering the Raj Bhawan to submit his resignation keep playing on loop. At one point, Chaudhary points to the smile that can be seen on Soren’s face, referring to the same as a new scene that can be noticed now where leaders of the opposition who are accused of corruption seem proud of themselves and think of themselves as ‘sher (lion)’.

The discussion in the show then goes on to discussing the resignation move of Hemant Soren and the case of ED against Soren. A separate reporter, namely Satyajit, can be heard explaining the “water-tight” case that ED has against Soren, the proofs and evidence that have been accumulated by the state agency linking Soren with the scams and investigation by ED. As per the report, when Soren was asked by the crores worth benaami wealth he had, Soren was left with no answer. It was at this point that Chaudhary began targeting the now arrested leader for his lifestyle. He can be heard saying that “Soren is known for his lifestyles, big cars and private planes.” (Time stamp- 16:00) 

At the 29-minute mark of the video, Sudhir Chaudhary starts “dissecting the history of the corrupt Soren family”. The host starts detailing the “cash for vote” scam allegations that had been put against Hemant Soren’s father, claiming that this family has always been in news for their corrupt practices. It is essential to note that these allegations are yet to be proven, something which the host also mentions, however it did not stop Chaudhary for deeming the whole family corrupt. Pursuant to this, the host shows the family tree of the Soren family and the different allegations that have been put forth against each of them, claiming scams to be a “normal thing” for the family.

At 31:43 minutes in the video, Chaudhary trivialises the whole Adivasi movement led by the Soren family and the struggle behind the formation of the state of Jharkhand by saying, “It is important to note here that this family makes the issues of poor and Adivasis their politics. First, they started a movement for separate state and separate identity.  They say that they want to come into politics for the welfare of the Adivasi community, formed their stated and formed their party. But what they deem as ‘Bhalai’ is actually ‘malai. These politicians stay in big houses, travel in luxurious cars, travel in private planes and live a lavish life. But when they go out, they say that they are an Adivasi politician, they are fighting for the cause and for the upliftment of the Adivasi community.”

Continuing with his diatribe against the Soren family and his Adivasi identity, Chaudhary says “the Adivasis in Jharkhand vote for the Soren party so that Hemant Soren becomes their CM, and this is what they get. Just think, this family who calls themselves as Adivasi and have even filed a case against ED under the SC/ST Act, do you think they have the right to call themselves poor? Or do you think they should get the right to demand reservation for themselves? Do you think this family should get the benefit of reservation? Do you think that their power should be allowed to be increased under the SC/ST Act?” (Time stamp- 33:05- 33:48)

“These people are not Adivasi, these people are the residents of big bungalows. These people are not working for the benefits of Adivasis, they are just reaping the benefits.” (Time stamp- 33:54- 34:01)

Again, after a gap of three minutes, Chaudhary repeats his anti-caste slurs and stance and stereotypically targets the tribal identity of the Soren family by stating “In reality, the Soren family has nothing that can deem them to be an Adivasi (Soren family mei Adivasi jesa kuch bhi nahi hai)”

He further states “Soren family leads a luxurious life. If you look at the Soren family, especially Hemant Soren, you will not be able to see the Adivasi touch.” (Time stamp- 37:18-37:28)

After this, Chaudhary continues with his obsession with dissecting the salary of Hemant Soren and his lifestyle. At the 45-minute time stamp of this programme, Chaudhary utters the aforementioned offensive and derogatory statements, wherein he compares former CM Hemant Soren spending the night in jail to him staying in a “jungle” as an Adivasi. 

The complete video of the programme can be viewed here:
 

Stigmatising caste- the new “journalistic” duty?

While dragging minorities and marginalised communities is an everyday thing for “journalist” Sudhir Chaudhary, who enjoys support from the ruling party, this is a new low for even him. Not only has he trivialised a whole Adivasi movement and struggle for their identity and basic rights, he has declared a family to not have the “Adivasi touch” owing to the wealth they enjoy and the cars they travel in. In a country where caste plays a major role in the position you acquire, Chaudhary has declared an Adivasi family of not be “Adivasi” enough to demand reservation and own their tribal identity in view of the power they hold and the private plane rides they apparently. The question that these statements leave us with are- would the same line of questioning of identity would have taken place had the accused not been from a marginalised community? 

The true image that Chaudhary holds of the Adivasi community comes out towards the end as he states that Soren will be “going back by 20/30/40 years, by spending the night in jail, when an Adivasi used to live in the jungle.” The obsession with the wealth acquired by the Soren family since the beginning of the show depicts the “shock” that Chaudhary feels at an Adivasi family enjoying some luxury. To him, these luxuries require for the Soren family to “shed” their caste. 

Many politicians, eminent leaders, powerful businessmen and others have allegations of corruption against them in India- this is not a new phenomenon. According to the recent Transparency International report, India ranked 93 on the global corruption perceptions index for 2023 out of a total of 180 nations. It is also not a new pattern for India to see opposition political leaders being targeted by the ruling political parties by state agencies, more so in the recent ten years. But, does the arrest of a political leader based on certain allegations, the constitutionality of which has already been challenged in the court, gives the right to a journalist to target the caste and identity of the accused? Has Sudhir Chaudhary totally forgotten his journalistic duties, in his journey of being a Bharatiya Janata Party mouthpiece?

Sudhir Chaudhary and the contentious Black and White Show

In 2023, two favourable orders of the NBDSA had been delivered on complaint made by CJP against Sudhir Chaudhary and his show. In both of these complaints, Sudhir had indulged in communal diatribe. In one instance, on one of his ‘Black and White’ shows that aired in October 2022 he had raised the issue of “Muslim participation in Garba festivals”. The show contained projections of prejudice against Islam, manipulated facts of the matter and was presented by a host with a distinctly communal slur and an anti-Muslim bias. On the other show, Sudhir had made unfounded claims about illegal mazaars being found on government land in Uttarakhand, especially on forest land, and had thereby stigmatised the whole Muslim community. 

CJP had complained against both of these shows for spreading communal discourse, stigmatising a minority community and spreading bias. Based on the complaints raised, the NBDSA reprimanded the channel for using the term ‘Mazhaar Jihaad’ unnecessarily and loosely in the latter complaint and ordered the channel to remove the video of the show in former case. 

Details on CJP’s complaints to NBDSA against partisan media coverage can be found here.

Related:

CJP Impact! NBDSA orders AAJ TAK’s Sudhir Chaudhary show to be pulled down, censors second

Another Sudhir Chaudhary show under the scanner for using the term ‘Mazaar Jihad’

CJP has filed a complaint in the NBDSA urging action against the divisive narrative in Sudhir Chaudhary’s show on Aaj Tak

CJP files complaint against Sudhir Chaudhary’s show on Aaj Tak for its communal narrative

CJP files complaint against Sudhir Chaudhary’s show on Aaj Tak for its communal narrative

The post Sudhir Chaudhary’s castiest diatribe against Hemant Soren following his resignation causes uproar, complaint filed by Tribal body appeared first on SabrangIndia.

Reacting to the arrest of Soren, numerous tribal outfits are going to organise protests and a state-wide shutdown. As per a report of IndiaTVNews, Ajay Tirkey, the president of Kendriya Sarna Samiti, had stated that at least 15 to 20 tribal organisations from various parts of Jharkhand will be participating in the said shutdown. Expressing discontent with the union government-controlled agency arresting former CM even after cooperation, Tirkey stated, “Despite cooperating with the ED in the investigation, Hemant Soren was arrested. We strongly oppose this action,” as per IndiaTVNews. Tirkey has assured that the protests will not hamper any emergency services or any schools that remain open today.

Most of the tribal outfits supporting the said state-wide took to social media to announce their participation. Another tribal outfit, namely Samast Adivasi Moolvani Sangathan, posted on ‘X’ (formerly Twitter).

झारखंड बंद है। हूल जोहार।
#HemantSoren pic.twitter.com/neuol3usTc

— Tribal Army (@TribalArmy) January 31, 2024

As the arrest took place and the news of the baandh emerged, a large number of police personnel were deployed around the Chief Minister’s residence in Ranchi on January 31 itself, as per a report in Livemint. Section 144 of the CrPC was also imposed within a radius of 100 metres outside the CM house, Governor House, and the ED office to deal with any untoward situation because of protests, rallies and processions by the ruling party workers. Notably, the JMM workers had gathered at Morabadi ground against the ED’s action and raised slogans against the central government on January 31.

Lalu Prasad Yadav, Former Chief Minister of Bihar and National President of Rashtriya Janata Dal, took to X to show his support for the arrested former tribal CM. in his social media post, Yadav wrote “Jharkhand’s popular tribal Chief Minister Hemant Soren is being tortured by the dictatorial government at the Centre. These disgusting tactics of BJP may cause trouble in the short term but cannot defeat the resolve and ambitions of backward, Dalit, tribal, minority and marginalized groups. The fear of BJP is well known and the public has also understood this now. We are strongly with Hemant.”

The post can be viewed here:

झारखंड की लोकप्रिय सरकार के जनप्रिय आदिवासी मुख्यमंत्री हेमंत सोरेन को केंद्र की तानाशाह सरकार प्रताड़ित कर रही है। भाजपा के यह घिनौने हथकंडे अल्प समय के लिए परेशान तो कर सकते हैं पर पिछड़े, दलित, आदिवासी, अल्पसंख्यक और हाशियों पर रहने वाले समूहों के संकल्प और महत्वाकांक्षाओं को…

— Lalu Prasad Yadav (@laluprasadrjd) February 1, 2024

Even in the face of impending arrest, Soren refused to cower:

Prior to being arrested by the ED and signing the arrest memo, Hemant Soren had submitted his resignation from the post of Chief Minister to Raj Bhawan. He was accompanied by the party alliance leaders. As per a report of the Telegraph, the ED team was also present there. Pursuant to his move, party loyalist and state transport minister Champai Soren was named as his successor. Notably, Champai Soren has the support of 47 MLAs.

Furthermore, earlier in the day of January 31, Soren had also lodged an FIR against senior ED personnel at the SC/ST police station here over the searches conducted by the agency at his Delhi residence. In the FIR, Soren has alleged that the ED conducted the search operation at his residence in the national capital to “harass and malign him and his entire community”.

On the night of January 31, Soren had moved an application to the Ranchi High Court challenging his arrest by the ED. As the case was listed for the morning of February 1 before the bench of Acting Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar and Justice Anubha Rawat Choudhary, Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal and A.M. Singhvi mentioned the said case in Supreme Court and withdrew the petition from the state High Court. Changing their strategy, Sibal stated before the Supreme Court bench comprising Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra that they will be withdrawing the petition from the High Court as the actions by the ED will have an adverse effect on the polity of the country.

“We will be withdrawing the petition in the high court… the manner of arrest just before the general elections has an adverse impact on polity of the country,” Sibal stated as per Bar&Bench.

The said move did not sit well with Solicitor General Tushar Mehta and Additional Solicitor General SV Raju, representing ED, as they opposed the plea on the basis that the hearing was scheduled to take place in the High Court. Responding to this, Sibal called this a “serious matter” while pointing to the timing and other procedural aspects related to arrest of Soren. He asked the court as to how a chief minister of a state be arrested like this.

As the ASG and SG countered this argument by dismissing the said arrest to be just one of the thousands of people arrested by ED, the Supreme Court bench agreed to list the case for February 2. The CJI also remarked that the counsels of both the sides should keep their ammunition ready.

Related:

Massive protest in Delhi by Bharat Mukti Morcha with one demand- REMOVE EVMs, SAVE DEMOCRACY

India tops list of countries at risk due to misinformation: what does this mean for India’s democracy?

Protest in Delhi: Indian state unleashing ‘undeclared, undocumented’ war on Adivasis

Delhi HC: ED does not have the power to arrest on their “whims and fancies”

The post Adivasi (tribal) organisations protest against arrest of Former CM Hemant Soren in Jharkhand, state wide shutdown called for appeared first on SabrangIndia.