Lucknow Court Orders Case Against Aaj Tak Anchor Anjana Om Kashyap Over Controversial Partition Show
Lucknow, September 5, 2025 — A judicial magistrate court in Lucknow has ordered the registration of a case against prominent Aaj Tak news anchor Anjana Om Kashyap and her channel following a complaint by retired IPS officer Amitabh Thakur, president of the Azad Adhikar Sena. The case, filed under Sections 196 and 197 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), stems from a controversial episode of Aaj Tak’s “Black and White” program, hosted by Kashyap, which aired on August 14, 2025, and allegedly promoted communal enmity. The episode, titled “भारत विभाजन का मकसद पूरा क्यों नहीं हुआ” (Why the Purpose of India’s Partition Was Not Fulfilled), has ignited a firestorm of criticism, with Thakur accusing Kashyap and Aaj Tak of stoking Hindu-Muslim tensions. As the case moves forward, it adds to Kashyap’s history of controversies, raising questions about media ethics and polarization ahead of Bihar’s November 2025 elections.
The Complaint and Court Order
On August 14, 2025, Aaj Tak aired the contentious episode of “Black and White,” hosted by Anjana Om Kashyap, which discussed the 1947 partition of India. The program, broadcast live on television and streamed on platforms like YouTube and Facebook, featured a debate on the historical and political implications of the partition, a topic that remains deeply sensitive in India. Amitabh Thakur, a retired IPS officer and activist, filed a complaint alleging that the content was “inflammatory” and designed to promote enmity between Hindu and Muslim communities, violating Sections 196 (promoting enmity between groups on grounds of religion) and 197 (imputing public mischief) of the BNS.
When the Lucknow police declined to register a First Information Report (FIR) based on Thakur’s complaint, he approached the Judicial Magistrate (JM) III Court in Lucknow. On September 2, 2025, the court ordered the registration of a parivad (complaint case), directing authorities to investigate the allegations against Kashyap and Aaj Tak. Thakur, in a post on X (@Amitabhthakur, September 2, 2025), described the episode as a “deliberate attempt to create communal discord,” citing specific statements that he claimed misrepresented historical facts and fueled divisive narratives. The court’s order has set the stage for a formal inquiry, with a hearing scheduled for late September to determine further proceedings.
Details of the Controversy
The “Black and White” episode focused on the partition of India, a topic that often stirs strong emotions due to its historical and communal implications. While the full transcript of the program was not publicly released, Thakur’s complaint highlighted segments where panelists and Kashyap allegedly framed the partition in a manner that portrayed certain communities as responsible for ongoing societal divisions. Critics, including Thakur, argued that the debate’s tone and selective framing risked inflaming communal tensions, particularly in the context of heightened political polarization before the Bihar elections.
The episode featured prominent panelists, including historians and political analysts, but Thakur’s complaint specifically targeted Kashyap’s moderation, accusing her of “biased questioning” that amplified divisive rhetoric. A clip shared on X by @4pmnews_network on September 3, 2025, showed Kashyap posing questions about the “failure of partition’s objectives,” which some users claimed implicitly blamed Muslim communities for contemporary issues. The post, which garnered significant attention, labeled the program as “hate-mongering” and urged regulatory action against Aaj Tak.
This is not the first time Kashyap has faced accusations of polarizing journalism. In 2019, she was heavily criticized for heckling a doctor in a Bihar hospital’s ICU while reporting on an encephalitis outbreak, with many on social media accusing her of obstructing medical care for sensationalism (The Quint, June 19, 2019). In 2021, Kashyap was publicly rebuffed by diplomat Sneha Dubey, who asked her to leave a room during a live broadcast, earning her ridicule for intrusive reporting (Janta Ka Reporter, September 25, 2021). More recently, a 2025 deepfake case involving a YouTube channel impersonating Kashyap prompted a Delhi High Court order to take down the channel, highlighting her prominence and vulnerability to media controversies (Verdictum, June 25, 2025).
Reactions and Political Context
The case has sparked intense reactions, with political and social dimensions amplifying its significance. Thakur, a known critic of media sensationalism, argued that the episode violated India’s laws on communal harmony, particularly in a state like Uttar Pradesh, where religious sensitivities run high. He told Hindi outlet Pardaphash on September 2, 2025, “Media houses like Aaj Tak have a responsibility to avoid content that divides society. This program crossed that line.”
The opposition, particularly the RJD and Congress, has seized on the case to criticize the BJP’s alleged ties to media outlets like Aaj Tak. RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, in a September 4, 2025, speech in Patna, referenced Kashyap’s history of controversies, accusing her of “running the BJP’s agenda” and citing a 2025 X post (@Amockx2022, August 22) where she was criticized for biased reporting during an India-Pakistan war debate. Congress MP Jairam Ramesh called for stricter media regulations, stating on X, “Anchors like Anjana Om Kashyap thrive on division, not journalism.”
The BJP, however, has remained largely silent on the case, with no official comment from state or national leaders. Some BJP supporters on X, such as @DilipJaiswalBJP, defended Kashyap, arguing that the case is an attempt to “silence bold journalism” and distract from the opposition’s recent controversies, like the derogatory remarks against PM Modi’s mother during the Voter Adhikar Yatra.
Kashyap’s Response and Aaj Tak’s Stance
Neither Anjana Om Kashyap nor Aaj Tak has issued a formal statement addressing the court order as of September 5, 2025. However, Kashyap’s history of responding to criticism suggests she may frame the allegations as an attack on press freedom. In 2019, after the Bihar hospital incident, she defended her actions on X, stating, “The truth of mismanagement and indifference in these hospitals had to be brought out” (@anjanaomkashyap, June 19, 2019). Aaj Tak, part of the TV Today Network, has previously faced scrutiny for its coverage, with critics like The Caravan (December 1, 2019) labeling Kashyap an “establishment-friendly anchor.”
The channel may argue that the “Black and White” episode was a legitimate debate on a historical issue, protected under freedom of expression. However, the court’s decision to proceed with the case suggests that the content will be closely scrutinized for potential violations of India’s stringent laws on communal harmony.
Broader Implications
The case against Kashyap comes at a time of heightened scrutiny of media practices in India, particularly as the country approaches key elections. The BJP’s critics have long accused outlets like Aaj Tak of amplifying communal narratives to bolster the ruling party’s agenda, a charge that gained traction after Kashyap’s 2020 comments on the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and National Register of Citizens (NRC), described as a “lethal combination” by Scroll.in (January 8, 2020). The Lucknow case could set a precedent for holding media personalities accountable for inflammatory content, especially under the new BNS framework, which replaced the Indian Penal Code in 2023.
For Kashyap, a prominent figure known for her aggressive debating style on shows like Halla Bol and Special Report, the case adds to a string of controversies that have made her a polarizing figure. Her supporters view her as a fearless journalist, with awards like the 2014 ITA Best Anchor Award and 2015 ENBA Best Anchor Award attesting to her influence. Critics, however, argue that her reporting often prioritizes sensationalism over nuance, as seen in past incidents like her 2017 comments on Rani Padmavati’s descendants, which drew social media backlash (StarsWiki, April 17, 2020).
Public Sentiment and Media Discourse
On X, reactions are polarized. Supporters of Thakur’s complaint, such as @4pmnews_network, hailed the court’s order as a step toward curbing “hate-mongering media,” while others, like @FinMinIndia, defended Kashyap, claiming the case is “politically motivated” to suppress free speech. A doctored video from June 2025, falsely showing Kashyap apologizing for biased reporting, further fueled debates about her credibility (@zoo_bear, June 16, 2025).
The case also highlights broader concerns about media polarization in India. A 2024 Pew Research study noted that 62% of Indians believe news channels contribute to communal tensions, a sentiment echoed by Thakur’s allegations. With the Bihar elections looming, where communal narratives could influence voters, the case against Kashyap is likely to remain a flashpoint.
Looking Ahead
As the Lucknow court prepares to hear the case, all eyes are on whether the investigation will lead to formal charges against Kashyap and Aaj Tak. The outcome could impact media regulations, particularly for debate shows that tackle sensitive historical and communal issues. For Kashyap, the case adds to her controversial legacy, potentially affecting her standing as one of India’s most prominent anchors. For now, the incident underscores the delicate balance between journalistic freedom and responsibility in a deeply divided political landscape.
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