NDTV’s Nidhi Razdan Asks Sambit Patra to ‘Apologise or Leave Show’

Patra accused the news channel of having an agenda against his party, which is why he had to interrupt the debate.

In a panel discussion in NDTV on Thursday night, anchor Nidhi Razdan asked BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra to leave the show, after he accused the channel of having an agenda against him and his party.

While chairing a panel discussion on the BJP’s latest ban on cattle slaughter, Razdan went to author Sanjoy Hazarika for his views on the issue, when both of them were interrupted by Patra.

Patra accused the channel of not giving him the time to speak and respond to the other panelists. He then went on to accuse the channel and Razdan of having a bias against the BJP as well as himself.

When Hazarika asked why Patra was interrupting him, the spokesperson said:

I interrupt people on NDTV only because the TV channel has an agenda, and so I need to do that.

Razdan promptly asked Patra to apologise for leveling such an accusation, and if he didn’t he was free to leave the show.

Just because you are asked a question, does not mean that there is an agenda

Razdan said

Patra refused to leave and threatened to disrupt the debate claiming he would rather “expose NDTV’s agenda throughout the show”.

Razdan then offered Patra the 30 uninterrupted seconds he wanted if he would retract his accusation. Patra did not agree to the terms, saying that he’d stay and disrupt the debate.

Twitter Largely Agreed With Razdan’s Actions...

More power to you @RazdanNidhi for holding your own in the face of false accusations & keeping your equanimity intact. Like a boss. Bravo! https://t.co/o72YnqxJSe

— Shruti Seth (@SethShruti) June 2, 2017

Sambit being over obsessed with Cow shouldn't make u a Coward,if cant defend ur party not good to peddle lies. Brave @RazdanNidhi ! https://t.co/EOQvlToszw

— Sid (@sidmtweets) June 1, 2017

Real Journalism sans noise great job @RazdanNidhi https://t.co/sFUXtV6qFX

— Swati Chaturvedi (@bainjal) June 1, 2017

And @RazdanNidhi maintained her dignity unlike another infamous anchor who hurled abuses at one of our spokespersons https://t.co/VFHFAM5p3i

— Sharmistha Mukherjee (@Sharmistha_GK) June 1, 2017

...While Some Agreed With Patra

Sir, @sambitswaraj, you and all of BJP should boycott @ndtv. They have an agenda we have been saying that since day 1.

— Gita S. Kapoor (@GitaSKapoor) June 1, 2017

True, Not sure what is preventing them to boycott @ndtv @RazdanNidhi show. It is anyways waste of time.

— Hardik Patel (@hardiksp28) June 1, 2017

Shocking 2 see hw rude @ndtv anchor chose 2 b with an invited panelist! And then they hv d nerve 2 say Arnab is arrogant!

— RD (@DharRenuka) June 2, 2017