A journalist working for All India Radio has lashed out at India’s Muslims calling all of them Pakistanis while casting aspersion on their faith and education.
Her Facebook post said, “Whether the fire of Hindutva destroys anybody or not, Islam has already burnt everyone. Just have a look at countries you consider your brothers and sisters. You are in majority there. Why are you on the verge of disintegration there? You PAKISTANI STOOGES, first improve yourself. You’ve spoiled all the chances you got in India. You are fit for Madrassa education because even after receiving school education your thoughts are anti-national.”
Her bigotry against Islam and Indian Muslims did not end here.
She continued, ” I’ve never said this before, but you are fit for Pakistan…Look into yourself. Hindutva is progressive. Keep shouting saffron terrorism, but terrorists are Muslims all over the world. Do read about the origin of your religion.”
Addressing a Facebook user, this ‘journalist’ from All India Radio said that Islamic teachings expected its followers to kill everyone else.
Later speaking to Janta Ka Reporter, Rana asked if calling them Pakistani was a crime adding that she was provoked first.
She said, “They said nothing is happening in Bengal it is the conspiracy theory of RSS… commented on Mathura. Godse killing Gandhi and so many other things. Only thing is where is my freedom of speech. I called them Pakistani.. is that a crime?”
Rana clarified that she worked with the All India Radio as a casual newsreader.
Rana’s communally charged social media posts have come at a time when communal tension is gripping parts of India and several places in Bengal are in the grip of religious riots.
It was a Facebook post that had led to communal riots in Bengal.
Rana’s profile on Linkedin says that she’s a ‘News Editor’ with All India Radio in Mumbai.
Her bigotry is in direct contravention to editorial norms a journalist working for the public service broadcaster is expect to adhere to.
Rana’s Facebook posts have already evoked angry reactions from Muslims on social media platforms, where this became a topic of an intense conversation on Friday night.
Journalist Asad Ashraf wrote on Facebook that this is not the first time Rana had targetted Indian Muslims with her bigotry.
He wrote, “This All India Radio’s Journalist went on to call us Pakistani pigs and what not. Samiya Kidwai grand daughter of Akhalaqur Rahman Kidwai, three times governor of different states was also abused and called a traitor by her. She was advised to go to Pakistan . Kidwai family has been a prominent family in the freedom struggle of India. She also claims that she has big connections.”
Ashraf, in one of his comments, asked others to pursue the matter through legal route given that her Facebook comments qualified as ‘hate speech.’
He wrote, “What she (Rana) wrote qualifies for hate speech and we are still governed by Baba sbs constitution. (sic)”
But far from showing any remorse, the ‘journalist’ from All India Radio hurled more insults to Muslims and their ancestors.
She wrote, “Hahaha. Yes, my father, grandfather, great-grandfather belonged to India. (Being Indian) This I’ve got it from them. Where did you flee from to land here? You all are converted.”
Ashraf and other prominent Muslims are now lodging an official complaint to the Press Council of India, demanding her sacking from the government-controlled radio channel.
Janta Ka Reporter contacted the Information and Broadcasting Minister Rajyavadhan Singh Rathore for a reaction to the hate speech by Rana, but he wasn’t available for comments.
His office said that Rathore was travelling away from Delhi and will get back to us later.
We will update the story after we get reactions from Rathore.