New Delhi – A recent primetime episode of ABP News sparked outrage after a guest repeatedly made Islamophobic statements against Indian Muslims while the anchor failed to intervene decisively. On the show Mahadangal, Delhi University professor Sangit Ragi called Muslims “betrayers” and claimed they should not be given equal cultural rights in India. He argued that Muslims received citizenship but should not enjoy equal status in the country’s cultural space.
ABP anchor Chitra Tripathi allowed Ragi to continue his statements without firm objection. Even when AIMIM spokesperson Waris Pathan challenged the professor, the anchor’s responses were muted and failed to correct factual distortions. Pathan repeatedly asked Ragi to apologise for his slurs, highlighting that the comments were not only offensive but also legally and constitutionally inappropriate.
The segment, which discussed meat bans during Navratri festivities, turned into a spectacle of Islamophobia framed as debate. The show juxtaposed Ragi against Pathan on a split screen, giving the impression of balance while permitting repeated communal attacks.
Media analysts and civil society members condemned the broadcast, emphasizing that anchors have a responsibility to moderate discussions and prevent the spread of hate speech. Critics argued that the program undermined Indian constitutional values, which guarantee equality and freedom of religion.
The incident has reignited calls for stricter accountability in broadcast journalism, especially during discussions on sensitive communal issues, urging channels to enforce professional standards and ethical moderation.
