Earlier this week, two Republic TV staff and a taxi driver were arrested for allegedly trespassing on a farmhouse of Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray in Raigad district. The issue has since snowballed into a confrontation between Arnab Goswami, Republic TV's head, and the Uddhav Thackeray government.
Arnab on Friday issued a statement demanding the release of the journalists. He also alleged leaders of the Shiv Sena had threatened cable operators to "black out" Republic Bharat, Republic TV's Hindi channel. Arnab declared, "The people of Mumbai, Maharashtra and India are with us." He also warned of a "fight" in "both the courts of public opinion and our country’s highest courts”.
Here is the statement of Arnab Goswami, released on Republic TV:
Uddhav Thackeray, release my journalists. You have broken the law and we will not allow this illegality. You didn't write the Constitution and you have no right to turn it upside down. Your party has sent letters to cable operators to illegally blackout Republic. You are allowing and approving a series of illegalities. Release my journalists immediately and perform your constitutional duty by arresting your party leaders who have been caught red-handed sending threats to cable operators.
I am a Mumbaikar. I have built Republic with hard work and effort. You cannot touch our network. The people of Mumbai, Maharashtra and India are with us. Uddhav Thackeray, release my journalists immediately. And arrest your party leaders who are issuing threats to blackout the distribution of Republic Bharat. If you don’t, I will fight you in both the courts of public opinion and our country’s highest courts.
Republic TV also alleged that reporter Anuj Kumar, who is among the three arrested persons, was "facing shocking forceful interrogation in an effort to get him to reveal his sources and story". Republic TV declared it would approach the National Human Rights Commission and Bombay High Court to intervene in the issue.
Arnab Goswami has been at odds with the Uddhav Thackeray government in recent months. In April, Arnab and Republic TV had accused the Uddhav Thackeray administration of laxity in probing the lynching of three sadhus in Palghar district. Arnab Goswami was questioned by Mumbai Police after it was alleged he made inflammatory comments on the killings of the sadhus in Palghar.
Arnab Goswami has also been critical of the Uddhav Thackeray government's handling of the probe into the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput, who was found hanging in his apartment in Mumbai in September. Earlier this week, the Shiv Sena moved two breach of privilege motions against Arnab Goswami in both houses of the state legislature. Arnab was accused of insulting ministers and elected representatives during his TV debates and making baseless allegations against many of them in connection with the death of Sushant Singh Rajput.
