BJP’s Rajeev Chandrasekhar criticises Kumbh coverage by Asianet News, in which he has stake: Report
Thiruvananthapuram: Rajeev Chandrasekhar, a Bharatiya Janata Party leader and former minister of state for the Union Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, expressed dissatisfaction with remarks made about the Maha Kumbh in a recent programme aired by Asianet News, a Malayalam TV channel he owns.
During the March 1 episode of Cover Story, a weekly programme on Asianet News, the channel appeared to take a dig at people from Kerala who attended the Kumbh and participated in the dip at the Triveni Sangam, as reported by The Indian Express on Wednesday.
"Hundreds of people from Kerala took part in the Ganga snan. Hindu sentiments, interest in rituals, and the Kumbh mela snan, which were not prevalent until now, have emerged in a state where CPI(M) is ruling. Even when Kerala is claiming to be 100 percent literate, Kumbh mela snan and propitiating BJP are favourite matters for a lot of Keralites," it said.
The programme also showed visuals of Prime Minister Narendra Modi taking a dip in the Ganga, commenting: "Good advertisement, good business and good PR. When all came together, the Kumbh mela turned into a favourite here in Kerala too."
In response, Chandrasekhar took to Facebook, sharing that several Malayalees had reached out to him, expressing that they were hurt by the programme's content. "They felt the programme was ridiculing the Kumbh Mela. My family was among crores of devotees who participated in the Maha Kumbh mela. I have brought this to the attention of those at the helm of Asianet News. I have asked them that there should not be such careless, sarcastic remarks about such an event, which is attended by lakhs of devotees," he wrote.
Chandrasekhar also stressed that faith is essential to all Hindus, including those in Kerala, and called for respect for religious sentiments. "As in any religion, faith is important for every Hindu. We, crores of Hindus across the country, including Kerala, want that to be respected," he stated.
The BJP's relationship with Asianet News has been tense in the past. In 2015, the state unit of the BJP announced a boycott of the channel, accusing it of being dominated by "journalists with Left background".
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Keshav Maharaj replaces injured Mitchell Santner in Mumbai Indians’ squad
Mumbai (PTI): South African spin-bowling all-rounder Keshav Maharaj on Monday replaced New Zealand’s Mitchell Santner in the Mumbai Indians’ squad for the remainder of the Indian Premier League.
Santner has been ruled out owing to a shoulder injury which he sustained during the team’s last match here at the Wankhede Stadium against Chennai Super Kings.
“Mumbai Indians (MI) have signed South Africa spinner Keshav Maharaj as a replacement for Mitchell Santner, who has been ruled out of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 owing to a left shoulder injury,” the IPL said in a statement.
“Santner sustained the injury during MI’s last home game against Chennai Super Kings while attempting a catch near the boundary.”
“Maharaj, an experienced left-arm spinner, recently featured in the T20I series against New Zealand. He has featured in two IPL matches, representing Rajasthan Royals in 2024. He joins MI for a fee of INR 75 lakh,” it added.
Santner took a fine diving catch to dismiss CSK’s Kartik Sharma off Jasprit Bumrah but in the process hit his shoulder and head on the ground. He was later replaced by Shardul Thakur as a concussion substitute in the game.
MI head coach Jayawardene had informed that Santner was taken for scans after he felt of not being "stable”.
“I think he hit his head first, neck, obviously the shoulder as well. He went for a scan because once he got back, he felt dizziness so he was lying down. Yes, the ice (pack) was there for the shoulder. But he felt that he wasn't stable so we took him for a scan in that situation,” Jayawardene told reporters after the match.
MI will next be in action against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Wednesday.
