At a time when the most debated topic on TV and social media platforms is the death over 60 children in a Gorakhpur Hospital in Uttar Pradesh, Times Now anchor Navika Kumar decided that this was not the “real issue”.
On Friday night, during its primetime show, News Hour, Kumar preferred to debate on the Yogi Adityanath government’s specific order to madrassas across Uttar Pradesh to celebrate Independence Day.
Navika Kumar, who’s the Managing Editor – Politics at Times Now, anchored the debate and shouted at a panelist saying “the debate is on Vande Mataram, you are bringing up this issue because you are running away from ‘real’ issue.”
The short video clip of the debate in which she can be seen scolding the panelist has since gone viral on social media.
Navika on @TimesNow We r debating on Vande Mataram & by raking up issue of child deaths in Gorakhpur, u want to divert from real issues. pic.twitter.com/IFoNBWX4cE
— Kapil (@kapsology) August 12, 2017
However, Kumar has come under severe criticism on social media for her insensitive remarks as people took to Twitter to condemn her stand.
I believe news channel anchor said today why are you distracting public with Gorakhpur deaths when focus is on Vande Mataram!God help media!
— Rajdeep Sardesai (@sardesairajdeep) August 11, 2017
I fear Navika Kumar of @TimesNow may scold the parents of the #Gorakhpur kids asking them why did their kids choose to die in a BJP state.
— The-Lying-Lama (@KyaUkhaadLega) August 12, 2017
Hey Arnab & @navikakumar don’t spare @ArvindKejriwal for this incident. Make his life hell. @kapsology @Jha__Pooja @PreetiSMenon @AAPVind https://t.co/grY1xD4ick
— tushar sheth (@Pehledesh) August 11, 2017
The Twitter users also slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for remaining silent on this incident.
Mr. @narendramodi ,
30 children died in #GorakhpurNo tweets from you, but you were very quick to tweet of Gajendra Singh’s death in Delhi 🙏 pic.twitter.com/kn3peD0cBw— Khalid Hussain (@khalidmfp) August 11, 2017
30 Kids Die in Gorakhpur Hospital Due to Lack of Oxygen. @narendramodi are these Children of a Lesser God,please show same emotions. pic.twitter.com/6CSCipLWxY
— SB (@sbala13) August 12, 2017
Last Tweet from @narendramodi 17 hrs ago.Not a word condoling death of 30 innocent children/infants DEAD due to lack of oxygen @ Gorakhpur https://t.co/tGTpJvJoEx
— Manish Tewari (@ManishTewari) August 12, 2017
Dear @narendramodi, my team is compiling political reaction on deaths of 30 children in Gorakhpur. They can’t find ur tweet. Can u pls help?
— Rifat Jawaid (@RifatJawaid) August 12, 2017
Feature Image Source: ScoopWhoop