“Baagon Mein Bahaar Hai?” Ravish Kumar Mimes Dissent on NDTV Ban

“If we can’t question, then what will we do?” Ravish Kumar asks in a satirical primetime show after the NDTV ban.

Satire is often the most powerful way to protest. After I&B Ministry banned NDTV India for one day, Ravish Kumar hosted a primetime broadcast with two mimes as panelists. In the show, Kumar counters censorship with incisive satire peppered with searing wit.

In his introduction, Kumar questions how authority and police is perceived as being above all scrutiny. He then introduces two mimes, who he compares to trolls on social media or ‘troll babus.’ During the broadcast, he keeps asking them questions, newsy or otherwise. After a point, the mimes get agitated and through gestures and gibberish, ask Kumar to stop asking questions.

Also Read: NDTV India Ban: Journos Fume, Website Goes Offline in Solidarity

Talking about the NDTV ban, Ravish Kumar said that the channel will reply to I&B Ministry soon and in the meanwhile, the channel will continue to report with integrity. Here are the main takeaways from his speech.

You can watch the full broadcast of the show here

‘Speak Quiet Truths’: Twitter Doffs Hat to Ravish’s Satire

Social media users appreciated the unusual broadcast; with some comparing it to Indian media’s resistance during the Emergency.

Brilliant, @NDTV @ravishndtv.
When asked to bend, some crawl. Others rise, face power down and speak quiet truths. https://t.co/rxh1NNRevx

— Karuna Nundy (@karunanundy) November 4, 2016

Using mimes to make a point on Prime Time News.
Sounds like it would blow up in your face.
But, then there is the genius of #RavishKumar :).

— Sorabh Pant (@hankypanty) November 4, 2016

Not surprising that the I & B order came against NDTV India, one of the most credible channels on air. @ravishndtv

— Sidharth Bhatia (@bombaywallah) November 4, 2016

Silence usually speaks louder than noise...#RavishKumar

— Rohini Singh (@Rohinisgh_ET) November 4, 2016

The journalist with a spine #RavishKumar

— Prerna (@Iam_Prerna) November 4, 2016

Ravish Kumar standing in front of Prime Minister's Office in order to ask "Kya Baago mein Bahaar hai". (2016) pic.twitter.com/sixbdcQvoL

— History of India (@RealHistoryPic) November 4, 2016

#RavishKumar just made us relaise why we need journalists like him. Hats off to him. We all are against this ban. #DemocracyInDanger

— AayushSharma (@AayushPrime) November 4, 2016

Narendra Modi after watching #PrimeTime with #RavishKumar! 😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/vAhSJQVWvU

— Pankaj Mishra (@pankajmishra23) November 4, 2016