(S.Ravi Seshu)
Two argumentative Indians–Mr.Arnab Goswami (Times Now Editor-in-chief) and Dr.Zakir Naik (Islamic preacher)–made open challenges for open debates between them and the entire nation is eager to witness it. Zakir, who is not coming to India fearing an unfair deal, has been at the receiving end from Arnab for the last ten days or so.
Even as Arnab’s tirade goes unabated, Zakir slapped a defamation suit against Times Now top management, including Arnab, Megha Prasad (Bureau Chief of the channel) Avinash Kaul (CEO), Sunil Lulla (CEO– Times Global Broadcasting Co. Ltd) and Times Global Broadcasting Co. Ltd., for defaming the Islamic preacher with ‘media trial.’ He sought Rs.500 crore as damages. Media report suggests that, Zakir Naik’s advocate issued a legal notice against them alleging that Arnab made false and defamatory statements against Naik on his popular show ‘The News Hour Debate’ causing grave damage to his reputation in the public eye.
“It is you (Arnab Goswami) who is willfully without any authority carrying out a media trial and influencing the minds of the public and authority to the detriment of my client’s (Zakir Naik) interest and are malign statement without verifying records,” the notice says.
It also took objection to maligning the reputation of Zakir Naik ‘intentionally.’ It adds: “The statements so made by you publicly, is misleading and contain falsehood and half truths. You have intentionally maligned my client’s reputation. You on your television channel have started a hate campaign against my client without having knowledge of the truth which you have deliberately hidden.”
According to the notice, Zakir Naik is not in a position to ascertain the actual monetary damages suffered by him for your wrongful action. “However, my client for the present estimates that the damage suffered by him is estimated at an amount not less than Rs.500 crores,” says the notice. It further demanded an apology from Arnab and Times Now.
The notice also observed that Arnab’s statements are creating enmity and hatred between religious communities and hurting religious sentiments of Naik and Muslim community.
Now, it is interesting to watch Arnab reacting to this notice in tonight’s fiery show. Or, he may totally ignore it!
