‘Hum Hindu’ Founder Covers His Eyes on Seeing a Muslim TV Anchor

The news channel has decided to not invite Ajay Gautam to its studio henceforth.

Two days after a Zomato customer refused an order from a Muslim delivery boy, Ajay Gautam, founder of right-wing organisation 'Hum Hindu', covered his eyes on seeing a Muslim news anchor on a live TV show.

Gautam was invited to the News24 studio for a debate on the Zomato incident when he refused to even look at a Muslim anchor. His organisation, as written on its website, was founded in 2015 with “the sole objective of complete Swaraj, absolute Hindu Rashtra.”

The TV channel has decided not to invite Gautam to its studio henceforth.

we at the newsroom of @news24tvchannel are in shock at the inappropriate & condemnable behaviour of Mr Ajay Gautam . Ethics of journalism do not allow to give platform to such devisive voices & gestures . @news24tvchannel has decided not to invite Mr Ajay Gautam to its studio .

— Anurradha Prasad (@anurradhaprasad) August 1, 2019

The incident was not part of the original video uploaded by the news channel on YouTube on 1 August. A short clip was later circulated and many on Twitter slammed Gautam for his actions.

TV Panelist, a so-called representative of Hindus, refuses to even see the face of a Muslim broadcaster! This is New India. #StopLynchings https://t.co/52YFjM7UFB

— Ashok Swain (@ashoswai) August 1, 2019

न्यूज़ 24 के ऐंकर को देख कर पंडित अजय गौतम ने ढक लीं आँखें...क्योंकि उस ऐंकर का नाम है सउद मोहम्मद ख़ालिद pic.twitter.com/Es8MaUSPPG

— Manak Gupta (@manakgupta) August 1, 2019

Fringe bigots like Ajay Gautam dilute all the good work of the RW.
Remember you're as strong as your weakest link! pic.twitter.com/SuZlTgyt4f

— Anuraag Saxena (@anuraag_saxena) August 2, 2019

Hindu Leader?! I'm a Hindu and have never heard of this imbecile called Ajay Gautam. https://t.co/n0TaYwNmAY

— Brijesh Kalappa (@brijeshkalappa) August 2, 2019

Not shocked at all by what Ajay Gautam did. I am just shocked that anyone cares at all to push back against naked bigotry. After all, TV debates have contributed to what we see unfolding in our society. https://t.co/U8GHSbkfhx

— Salman Anees Soz (@SalmanSoz) August 2, 2019