There are Diwali parties, there are political Diwali parties, and then there are Diwali parties where the country’s self-proclaimed guardians of journalistic neutrality forget their professional inhibitions, pick up a mic and join the hosts in a musical celebration.
Senior journalist and India Today Consulting Editor Rajdeep Sardesai was recently spotted doing precisely that at a Diwali gathering hosted by Saurav Das, co-convenor of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), at his South Delhi residence.
And what did our distinguished journalist choose to sing? Kishore Kumar’s evergreen number: ‘Zindagi ke safar mein guzar jaate hain jo makam, woh phir nahi aate, woh phir nahi aate…’
Rather appropriate, one might say. Some moments in life, particularly those captured on camera, do indeed refuse to go away!
A political who’s who
This was no ordinary neighbourhood Diwali get-together. The guest list read like an Opposition alliance brainstorming session, albeit without the microphones, television lights and the customary accusations against the Modi government.
Among those present were AAP’s Arvind Kejriwal, NCP (SP)’s Supriya Sule, senior advocate Kapil Sibal, TMC’s Mahua Moitra and Derek O’Brien, CPM’s Vrinda Karat and John Brittas, Shiv Sena (UBT)’s Arvind Sawant, DMK’s T.R.B. Rajaa and ‘political commentator’ Yogendra Yadav.
The media contingent was equally impressive, with journalists and television personalities including Preeti Choudhry, Abhinandan Sekhri, Rohini Singh, Sakshi Joshi and others.
The hosts, Saurav Das, Abhijeet Dipke and Ashutosh Ranka, had clearly managed to assemble a formidable collection of political and media personalities.
The gathering was described by Das as a star-studded evening. Rajdeep received a particularly affectionate introduction as one of Delhi’s finest anchors and, apparently, a karaoke star.
One wonders whether the invitation carried a separate agenda for political networking and another for musical entertainment. Either way, the evening seems to have been a resounding success.
Neutrality, anyone?
Now, there is absolutely nothing wrong with journalists attending social gatherings. They are human beings, after all, and are entitled to friendships, celebrations and a life beyond newsrooms. Nor does singing a Kishore Kumar song amount to an ideological declaration.
But there is a small matter called perception. Rajdeep has spent years questioning the credibility, independence and political affiliations of journalists who, in his assessment, are too cosy with the ruling establishment.
His criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the BJP and the government is hardly a secret. His television interventions often leave viewers with little doubt about where his journalistic sympathies lie.
So when a journalist who routinely scrutinises the political proximity of others is seen enjoying the hospitality of a gathering dominated by Opposition politicians and CJP leaders, questions about consistency are hardly unreasonable.
And there is an additional complication. His wife, Sagarika Ghose, is a Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha MP. That does not automatically compromise his journalism, but it makes transparency and demonstrable editorial independence all the more important.
The question is simple: would the same standards of scrutiny apply if he were singing Kishore Kumar songs at a Diwali party hosted by a prominent BJP functionary, surrounded by senior BJP leaders?
Would he be equally relaxed about photographs of a television anchor enjoying such company appearing on social media?
The X-factor
Social media, predictably, had a field day. Amit Kumar Sindhi pointed out the irony of a journalist who describes himself as neutral singing alongside CJP leaders, suggesting that Rajdeep had never asked the CJP gang a tough question. He even took a swipe at the sort of soft interview questions that have become synonymous with political television.
Another X user, Angad Singh, brought an entirely different dimension into the discussion, referring to reports estimating the Rajdeep-Sagarika residence at a staggering Rs49–52 crore, and cheekily wishing everyone a similarly prosperous zindagi ka safar (journey) through life!
On LinkedIn, Ganesh Bhatt offered his own interpretation of the song. He suggested that journalists were reminiscing about the free trips, parties, accommodation and gifts allegedly enjoyed during Congress rule, adding that those days would not return (phir nahi aaye) under Modi.
Whether these comments are fair, exaggerated or simply social-media banter is another matter. But the song certainly provided an irresistible opportunity for political one-liners.
The missing questions
There is an important distinction between attending a party and surrendering one’s journalistic independence. The former is perfectly legitimate. The latter is a professional failure.
Rajdeep has, in fact, written about CJP and interviewed its founder, Abhijeet Dipke, raising questions about the organisation’s political evolution. That makes it even more important that he maintain a visible distinction between his professional scrutiny and personal social relationships.
A journalist cannot demand that viewers judge others by their associations while expecting his own associations to be treated as entirely inconsequential.
Perhaps the most amusing part of the evening was the choice of song. Kishore Kumar’s lyrics were about moments that pass and never return. But in the age of smartphones, Instagram and viral videos, there is one thing that does return, again and again: the recording!
Rajdeep may have intended to give his hosts a musical treat. Instead, he has given social media a fresh reason to question the much-advertised neutrality of India’s television journalism.
And if the Diwali gathering was indeed a celebration of friendship, fellowship and political camaraderie, why not simply call it that?
There is no need to sing the neutrality anthem when the audience is already familiar with the tune.
Zindagi ke safar mein kuch makam waqai phir nahi aate. Lekin kuch videos baar-baar laut kar aate hain!
Also watch: https://x.com/AMIT_GUJJU/status/2116959083526074812
