On Wednesday morning, netizens woke up to the shocking news of the arrest of TV anchor and journalist Arnab Goswami. According to news reports, Maharashtra Police arrested the Republic TV editor-in-chief from his house for allegedly abetting the suicide of interior designer Anvay Naik and his mother Kumud Naik in 2018.
News agency ANI reported that the police entered Goswami’s residence early in the day and attempted to detain him. The anchor’s arrest has led to a storm of reactions on Twitter. While some believe that his arrest is motivated by political vendetta, others are in support of Maharashtra Police.
The Twitterverse Is Divided
Twitter is overflowing with polarising opinions over Gosawmi’s arrest. Here’s what netizens are saying.
Editor’s Guild Of India condemns his arrest
The Editors Guild of India has issued a statement on the arrest of Arnab Goswami, editor-in-chief of Republic TV. pic.twitter.com/gL3MstVlla
— Editors Guild of India (@IndEditorsGuild) November 4, 2020
Wrong manner of arrest
What Arnab Goswami does is not journalism by any stretch of the imagination. He led the witch-hunt against Rhea. Targets anyone the Modi govt wants. But, the manner in which he was arrested is wrong.
— Swati Chaturvedi (@bainjal) November 4, 2020
Attack on free press
Congress and its allies have shamed democracy once again.
Blatant misuse of state power against Republic TV & Arnab Goswami is an attack on individual freedom and the 4th pillar of democracy.
It reminds us of the Emergency. This attack on free press must be and WILL BE OPPOSED.
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) November 4, 2020
Democracy isn’t selective!
Lots of huffing & puffing about press freedom on #ArnabGoswami arrest. Let us huff & puff equally loudly for #SudhaBharadwaj #StanSwamy #AnandTeltumbde, students, journalists, activists, many in jail under draconian anti terror laws, repeatedly denied bail. Democracy is for all
— Sagarika Ghose (@sagarikaghose) November 4, 2020
Supporting fascism?
Those in the free press who don’t stand up today in support of Arnab, you are now tactically in support of fascism. You may not like him, you may not approve of him,you may despise his very existence but if you stay silent you support suppression. Who speaks if you are next ?
— Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) November 4, 2020
Ethics over opinions
No matter whether you agree with his journalism or not, all of us should condemn the way in which the police have arrested Arnab Goswami.
— vir sanghvi (@virsanghvi) November 4, 2020
Selective support for selective journalists?
Such great support coming in from Union ministers for @republic‘s Editor Arnab Goswami arrested in an abetment to suicide case. Where does this intent vanish when journalists r arrested & harassed for actually doing their jobs – reporting, questioning & holding d govt responsible pic.twitter.com/ROBUCeGszS
— Anusha Ravi Sood (@anusharavi10) November 4, 2020
As blunt as it gets
Arnab Goswami deserves zero sympathy. That’s the tweet. #ISupportMumbaiPolice
— Akshay Marathe (@AkshayMarathe) November 4, 2020
Always finding a meme opportunity
The suddenness of the move..
The unpredictability of the move …
The fact that there was no warning…#ArnabGoswami and #MaharashtraPolice mix
#maharashtragovt !! pic.twitter.com/4iThAYvXPt— Tehseen Poonawalla Official (@tehseenp) November 4, 2020
What are your thoughts on Goswami’s arrest?
Featured Image: Twitter
