A heated episode of Indian TV anchor Arnab Goswami’s show has become the centre of a political storm after a Pakistani analyst, Ahmad Hasan Arabi, openly criticised the Indian government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on live television.
During the segment, Ahmad Hasan Arabi delivered bold statements that left the Indian panel visibly unsettled. Referring to India's long-standing tensions with Pakistan and its stance on Kashmir, Arabi warned, “If India ever tries to step foot into Azad Kashmir, it will return in pieces.” His remarks, particularly addressing historical grievances, sparked further outrage: "India still hasn't overcome the inferiority complex from a thousand years of Muslim rule."
What was meant to be a typical cross-border debate quickly turned into a rare moment of reversal on Indian media, with Arabi’s unapologetic tone silencing usual rhetoric. His confident dismantling of Indian government narratives became an unexpected spectacle for viewers, with many praising his clarity and composure.
However, the backlash from India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was swift. Outraged by the platform given to a Pakistani voice critical of India, several BJP-affiliated accounts on social media demanded strict action against Arnab Goswami himself. Some went as far as to call for an FIR (First Information Report) to be lodged against the anchor, questioning, “How was a Pakistani allowed to humiliate India and its leaders on our national media?”
The incident has since gone viral, with hashtags and debates circulating across platforms. While the segment brought attention to the power of televised debate, it also reignited questions around media control, nationalism, and the limits of free speech in Indian journalism.
