New Delhi, August 23, 2025 – In a heated political clash, the Indian National Congress has lodged a criminal complaint against prominent journalist Shiv Aroor, accusing him of defaming the party and its leader, Rahul Gandhi. The move comes after Aroor’s sharp critique on NDTV’s “India Matters” show, where he dismantled Rahul Gandhi’s claims of “vote theft” in recent elections.
The controversy kicked off earlier this week when data from the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies (CSDS) suggested big gaps in voter numbers in Maharashtra’s Lok Sabha and Assembly polls. Rahul Gandhi jumped on this, blasting the Election Commission of India (ECI) for what he called foul play. But on August 19, CSDS’s Sanjay Kumar pulled back his post, admitting it was a mix-up by his team. “I sincerely apologize for the tweets posted regarding Maharashtra elections,” Kumar said on X, explaining the error in comparing 2024 data.
That same day, Aroor aired his segment titled “From ‘Chori’ To ‘Sorry’: Vote The Fake Narrative?” He argued that Gandhi’s attacks on the ECI were built on shaky ground, pointing out that the Congress leader hadn’t even filed a formal affidavit with his complaints despite the ECI’s demands. Aroor called it a prestige issue for Gandhi, urging more accountability from opposition figures.
Frustrated, Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera fired back on August 22. In a post on X, Khera announced the complaint, saying Aroor’s comments were a “malicious attempt to defame” the party and Gandhi. “A criminal complaint has been filed, and our lawyer will pursue every remedy to the fullest extent of law,” he wrote. The party claims Aroor’s words crossed into defamation territory, though details on where the complaint was filed remain unclear.
The backlash has been swift. Supporters of Aroor, including BJP leaders like Amit Malviya and Anand Ranganathan, have rallied online with hashtags like #IStandWithShivAroor. Malviya shared Aroor’s video, calling the Congress move an attempt to bully critics. “Bullies must be called out, punched in the face, and told to sit down,” he posted. Ranganathan slammed it as an attack on free speech, questioning why the Editors’ Guild hasn’t spoken up yet.
As of today, August 23, the story is buzzing on social media, with thousands showing solidarity for Aroor. Critics argue this could chill journalism, especially when holding power to account. The Congress hasn’t commented further. This spat highlights the growing tension between media and politics in India, where fact-checks can quickly turn into legal battles.
Aroor, known for his no-nonsense style at NDTV, hasn’t responded publicly to the complaint yet. But with public support mounting, this could drag on, testing the limits of press freedom.
