Anjana Om Kashyap FIR: Ludhiana Police register a case against Aaj Tak anchor, India Today Group Chairman Aroon Purie, and Living Media India Ltd for allegedly hurting Valmiki community sentiments during a televised program.
By Qalam Times News Network
Dateline: Ludhiana / New Delhi | October 13, 2025
Anjana Om Kashyap FIR Filed Under IPC 295A and SC/ST Act
A major controversy erupted after an FIR was lodged against Aaj Tak anchor Anjana Om Kashyap in Ludhiana, accusing her of making derogatory remarks about Maharishi Valmiki, a revered figure among Dalit communities.
The Anjana Om Kashyap FIR, registered at Division No. 4 Police Station, also names India Today Group Chairman Aroon Purie and Living Media India Limited, the parent company of the network.
The complaint was filed by the Bharatiya Valmiki Dharam Samaj (BHAVADHAS), which claimed that Kashyap’s comments during a televised debate were “deeply insulting” and had hurt the sentiments of the Valmiki community nationwide.
BHAVADHAS Demands Arrest and Public Apology
In his complaint, Chaudhary Yashpal, national coordinator of BHAVADHAS and a Ludhiana resident, demanded immediate legal action.
“We demand the immediate arrest of Anjana Om Kashyap and an apology for her offensive remarks against Saint Valmiki on a national television platform,” he said.
BHAVADHAS Chief Coordinator Vijay Daanav, who also chairs the Punjab Government’s Dalit Vikas Board, reiterated the call for Kashyap’s arrest, stating that her words “insulted Valmiki Ji and deeply hurt the sentiments of our community.”
Sections Invoked and Police Action
The Anjana Om Kashyap FIR includes Section 295A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for deliberate acts meant to outrage religious feelings, and Section 3(1)(v) of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
Inspector Gaganpreet Singh, SHO of Division No. 4 police station, confirmed that the case would be handled by a DSP-rank officer as per SC/ST Act requirements.
Ludhiana Police Commissioner Swapan Sharma stated that the FIR was registered “after obtaining legal opinion,” and that 13 Dalit and SC organizations had submitted written complaints alleging derogatory content in the televised discussion.
India Today Group Issues Strong Denial
Responding to the FIR, Anjana Om Kashyap, through a statement issued by TV Today Network Limited, denied all allegations, maintaining that the program was conducted “with full journalistic integrity and respect for all faiths.”
“We fail to understand how any part of the broadcast could have caused offence,” the statement said. “The full footage shows no derogatory reference to Bhagwan Maharishi Valmiki Ji.”
The network alleged that “selectively edited and misleading clips” were circulating online, distorting the show’s intent.
“These misrepresentations must be withdrawn immediately as they malign responsible journalism. We will pursue legal recourse against false allegations,” the statement concluded.
Protests and Previous Controversies
Protests erupted in Ludhiana following the FIR, where demonstrators reportedly threw shoes and slippers at Kashyap’s pictures and garlanded her effigy with footwear — symbolic of their outrage.
This is not the first time Anjana Om Kashyap has faced legal trouble.
In September, a Lucknow district court directed the filing of a complaint against her over an episode of her show Black and White, titled “Why Was the Purpose of India’s Partition Not Fulfilled?” The petitioner, former IPS officer Amitabh Thakur, claimed the program was “divisive” and “in extremely poor taste.”
The Anjana Om Kashyap FIR adds to a growing series of legal and public controversies surrounding high-profile media anchors and the boundaries of televised commentary.
As the Ludhiana Police continue their investigation under the SC/ST Act, the case once again raises questions about responsible journalism, religious sensitivity, and freedom of expression in India’s media landscape.
