The Times of India has long been accused of pushing a narrative against Hindu festivals, traditions, and symbols. But in recent weeks, the newspaper and its so-called “journalists” have stooped to shocking new lows. From falsely linking the natural death of a teenager suffering from jaundice to Dahi Handi celebrations, to publishing a misleading “Tantrik” headline with an image of a Hindu saint while the accused was a Muslim man, TOI has openly compromised journalistic ethics. This isn’t just poor reporting it is targeted, ideologically motivated cultural subversion. When it comes to Hindus, TOI seems eager to malign and distort.
Misreporting a Tragedy: Dahi Handi Blamed for Jaundice Death
On August 17th, a 14-year-old boy from Andheri, Mumbai, tragically passed away due to jaundice. Identified as Rohan Mohan Valvi, the boy collapsed while sitting in a tempo during the Dahi Handi celebrations. Despite confirmation from BMC officials that he was not part of the human pyramid and had already been suffering from jaundice, TOI journalist Richa Pinto rushed to label his death as a “Dahi Handi-related” tragedy.
The headline misled readers into believing Hindu festival celebrations were responsible. Even within her own post, she admitted the boy did not participate in the pyramid. Why then the desperate attempt to connect this natural death to a Hindu festival? This was not a mistake. It was deliberate framing to paint Dahi Handi as unsafe and reckless.
A Pattern of Targeting Hindu Festivals
This is not the first time Hindu traditions have been targeted by TOI and other left-liberal media houses. When it comes to Holi, they raise concerns about pets being “disturbed.” During Diwali, a single day of firecrackers is demonized as the sole reason for India’s pollution. And now, Janmashtami’s Dahi Handi celebration is being wrongly linked with an unrelated death.
The selective targeting of Hindu festivals contrasts sharply with the way other religious festivals are covered. Instead of celebration, Hindu traditions are constantly scrutinized, problematized, and delegitimized. The question is why this obsessive focus on finding fault only in Hindu customs?
The “Tantrik” Smear: Deliberate Misrepresentation
Just last week, TOI ran a headline saying, “A Tantrik held in UP for killing 2 kids.” The accompanying picture? An AI-generated image of a Hindu saint. But the name of the actual accused? Mohammed Asad.
This was no minor oversight it was deliberate, agenda-driven reporting designed to equate Hindu saints with criminality. After being exposed on social media, TOI quietly deleted the misleading image. But the damage was done. Millions who read the original article were left with a false impression that Hindu saints are “tantriks” engaged in heinous crimes.
Why hide the identity of the real culprit, while vilifying Hindus? This double standard shows TOI’s ideological bias loud and clear.
Covering Up Anti-Hindu Violence in Nagpur
The bias didn’t stop there. On March 17th, 2025, Nagpur witnessed violent attacks by Muslim mobs on Hindu protestors demanding the removal of Aurangzeb’s tomb in Sambhaji Nagar. Instead of reporting the truth, TOI cleverly worded its article to suggest that the Hindu protestors themselves were responsible for the violence spiraling “out of control.”
By avoiding mention of the mob attacks and focusing instead on Hindu anger, TOI conveniently shifted the blame. The deliberate omission of key facts is nothing but narrative manipulation designed to portray Hindus as aggressors and paint genuine protests against Mughal tyranny in a bad light.
Time Hindus Call Out This Bias
The Times of India has once again proven it cannot be trusted to report honestly when it comes to Hindu festivals, saints, or causes. From the jaundice-related death falsely tied to Dahi Handi, to the smear job with the “tantrik” headline, to the biased coverage of Nagpur violence each example reveals the same pattern.
This is no longer sloppy journalism. It is ideological warfare against Hindu identity, culture, and festivals. The message is clear: Hindu traditions must be demonized while others are glorified. For decades, Hindus have silently endured such biases, but the time has come to call them out boldly. TOI and its sold-out “journalists” may continue to stoop lower each day, but Hindus must not allow their festivals and faith to be maligned under the garb of journalism.
