Rajdeep Sardesai had gone on a rampage on Republic Day, alleging that the farmer who died during the violence at ITO was, in fact, shot by the Delhi Police – an unsubstantiated claim made with no evidence to back it, propounded by the very people who were causing anarchy to spill onto the streets of Delhi in the first place.
However, that did not stop serial propagandist Sardesai from peddling fake news and engaging in virtue signalling the demonic Indian state and its security agencies. Be that as it may, Rajdeep’s employers have now taken strong action against him to teach the man a lesson.
India Today has taken Consulting Editor Rajdeep Sardesai off the air for two weeks after his misreporting on a violent agitator’s death during the tractor rally on Tuesday. Further, the alleged journalist has also been stripped off his salary for one month – perhaps a first in the media industry. Sardesai had, in a Tweet, said, “One person, 45-year-old Navneet killed allegedly in police firing at ITO. Farmers tell me: the ‘sacrifice’ will not go in vain.”
The Delhi Police soon released the footage of the incident, which was followed by another tweet from Rajdeep Sardesai where he was forced to admit that the protestors were caught red-handed lying, although he did not say so in as many words. Social media has been replete with calls from ordinary citizens, who are demanding stern action against the journalist for lying through social media and also on national media.
While the farm protestors claim that the deceased Navneet Singh was shot at by Delhi police while on a tractor, this video clearly shows that the tractor overturned while trying to break the police barricades. The farm protestors allegations don’t stand. Post mortem awaited.👇 pic.twitter.com/JnuU05psgR
— Rajdeep Sardesai (@sardesairajdeep) January 26, 2021
Government sources told TFI that security agencies are furious with Rajdeep Sardesai. On Tuesday, the man’s brazen coverage hurt the morale of the police and the people’s trust in the media. When he tweeted the false information without any verification, and also went on Aaj Tak to repeat the same, the violence is said to have surged, the sources added.
Some concerned citizens are still not satisfied and are calling for the alleged journalist to be sacked by TV Today Network – at the helm of whose affairs is Aroon Purie. India Today has been at the receiving end of massive outrage, solely due to the brazen reportage of Rajdeep Sardesai. Stern action being taken against the man is a testimony to the fact that his employers too are convinced of him being guilty and in brazen contempt of all journalistic boundaries. It would not be surprising if Rajdeep is taken off air for an indefinite period, or even sacked for his misadventures.