Hamid Mir alleges Arnab Goswami pays Pakistani panelists to ‘Abuse India’ in TV debates
New Delhi: Prominent Pakistani Journalist Hamid Mir has alleged that Indian television anchor Arnab Goswami pays Pakistani panelists to "abuse India" during debates on his channel to boost Television Rating Points (TRPs). Mir made these claims in an interview with Pakistan-based digital news outlet The Current.
During the interview, Mir recounted his early interactions with Goswami. “When Arnab Goswami was working with NDTV, around 20–22 years ago, I appeared on his show in New Delhi for the first time. Back then, he was just a journalist. After leaving NDTV and joining Times Now, he would still invite me to his shows. He used to call me and say, ‘Hamid bhai,’ and anyone who calls me ‘bhai,’ I usually oblige. So, I used to join his programs.”
Mir claimed things changed when Goswami launched Republic TV. “Later, I came to know that BJP leader Rajeev Chandrasekhar had invested in Republic TV. Many people told me that Arnab invites Pakistani intellectuals, politicians, and journalists, pays them, and instructs them to ‘abuse India’ on air.”
Mir said he personally asked some of these guests about the claim. “They told me, ‘Yes, we are paid and we abuse India.’ I asked why Goswami wanted this, and they said he gives us three minutes to bash India and then spends ten minutes bashing Pakistan. That way, his TRPs go up. That’s when I stopped appearing on his shows.”
He also recalled an incident when Goswami falsely claimed that Rawalpindi had been devastated during tensions between India and Pakistan. “I visited Rawalpindi, recorded a video, and posted it online to counter his claim. He didn’t like that,” Mir said, adding, “He is no longer a journalist, so I don’t see a reason to respond to him anymore.”
When asked about Indian journalist Barkha Dutt, Mir responded, “She has visited this office several times. She has been part of our programs too. Once, she claimed a Pakistani pilot had been arrested. I’m still waiting for her to release that photo. I’ll comment on her when she does. For now, I’m giving her some margin.”
Arnab Goswami invites Pakistanis on Republic TV and pay them to abuse India?
— Abhishek (@AbhishekSay) June 9, 2025
Pakistani journalist Hamid Mir says many politicians and journalists told him that Arnab pays them to abuse India in TV debates, after which Indian panelists are given more time to respond, all for TRP. pic.twitter.com/dlJqsta7NN
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Karnataka bypolls: Over 60 per cent voter turnout in Bagalkot, Davanagere South till 5 pm
Bengaluru (PTI): Over 60 per cent voter turnout was recorded till 5 pm in both Assembly constituencies in Karnataka, where bypolls were held on Thursday.
While the turnout in Bagalkot was 65.68 per cent, it was 63.04 per cent in Davanagere South.
While the ruling Congress faces the challenge of retaining both seats, the BJP aims to wrest them and deliver a setback to its rival, which is currently witnessing an "internal power struggle" over leadership.
The bypolls were necessitated due to the demise of senior Congress MLAs H Y Meti (Bagalkot) and Shamanur Shivashankarappa (Davanagere South).
A total of over 2.59 lakh eligible voters are expected to cast their votes at around 319 polling stations in Bagalkot, where nine candidates are in the fray.
In Davanagere South, over 2.31 lakh eligible voters are expected to vote across 284 polling stations, with 25 candidates contesting.
The BJP has fielded former MLA and 2023 defeated candidate Veerabhadrayya Charantimath from Bagalkot, and a fresh face, Srinivas T Dasakariyappa, from Davanagere South.
The Congress has given tickets to family members of the late legislators in both constituencies. Bagalkot candidate Umesh Meti is the son of H Y Meti, while Samarth Mallikarjun from Davanagere South is the grandson of Shamanur Shivashankarappa.
