Katju on Arnab Goswami abusing him on his show over Netaji

Last evening Arnab Goswami telephoned me and asked me to appear on his show on Times Now channel regarding Subhas Chandra Bose.

I told him I would appear only in a one-to-one discussion. He said that some others may also appear so that the discussion may not appear one sided. I agreed, but said that since a furious attack had been launched against me on the issue by some people I must first be given a few minutes to explain my point of view uninterruptedly, and thereafter others can join. To this he agreed.

When the show began I said that I had three points to make about Bose, but before I could even complete my first point Arnab started interrupting me. He accused me of not having any idea of facts and history (of which he obviously knows everything).

Right at the beginning of the show Arnab called my statement on Bose condemnable. He then called me superficial and supercilious (arrogant), and that I have the tendency of plunging into debate without knowing any facts. He also said that I don't believe anyone except myself. Is this the way a TV anchor should behave? Is this not abuse?

The panelists then started abusing me. Ardhendu Bose said that I should have my head examined. Anuj Dhar, who advanced a stupid theory that the Japanese would not have conquered India as it was the land of Buddha (as if the Japanese fascists cared for that) said that I was a stooge of Nehru, and that I was spitting on the sun. He also made a stupid comment that there was nothing wrong in the Japanese imperialists grabbing markets and raw materials.

When Ardhendu Bose said that I was a publicity seeker Arnab repeatedly agreed with him.

I was befooled by Arnab Goswami into appearing on his show, and I told him I will never again do so as he does not know how to behave. He obviously thinks his channel's TRP rating goes up by his insulting people and not letting them speak.

This post first appeared on Markandey Katju's Facebook page.