Lucknow Court Orders Case Against Anjana Om Kashyap for Aaj Tak's 'Black and White' Partition Show

Lucknow- On August 14, 2025, Aaj Tak's "Black and White" program, hosted by journalist Anjana Om Kashyap, aired an episode titled "भारत विभाजन का मकसद पूरा क्यों नहीं हुआ" (Why the Purpose of India's Partition Was Not Fulfilled). The episode, which discussed the 1947 partition of India, sparked controversy for allegedly promoting communal enmity.

Retired IPS officer Amitabh Thakur, president of Azad Adhikar Sena, filed a complaint against Kashyap and Aaj Tak, citing violations of Sections 196 and 197 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). After the Lucknow police declined to register an FIR, Thakur approached the Judicial Magistrate (JM) III Court in Lucknow, which, on September 2, ordered the registration of the complaint.

The episode was aired live on Aaj Tak on August 14, and streamed on platforms like YouTube and Facebook. It analyzed the partition's religious basis, stating that only 9.6 million Muslims migrated to Pakistan out of a much larger population, implying the partition's objective was unfulfilled.

Kashyap presented historical data, visuals, and narratives, including speculation about avoiding partition had Muhammad Ali Jinnah's health issues been known earlier. The program also discussed the "bad end" of figures like Jinnah and Lord Mountbatten. Social media clips, including Instagram reels, quoted Kashyap saying: "ये विभाजन धर्म के आधार पर हुआ लेकिन... जिस मकसद से ये विभाजन किया गया था वो मकसद कभी पूरा ही नहीं हुआ."

The program received polarized reactions. While some appreciated its historical perspective, others, including Islamist groups, criticized it for inciting anti-Muslim sentiment.

On August 15, Thakur lodged a complaint with the Gomti Nagar Police Station, Lucknow, demanding an FIR under BNS Sections 196 (promoting enmity between groups on religious grounds) and 197 (outraging religious feelings). He alleged the program distorted historical facts, incited class enmity, and threatened national unity.

Thakur publicized his complaint through videos on X, tagging Uttar Pradesh police (@lkopolice), government officials, and the Prime Minister’s Office. The police did not register an FIR, prompting Thakur to seek judicial intervention.

Thakur filed an application under Section 200 of the CrPC before the JM III Court in Lucknow. On September 2, 2025, the court accepted the complaint as a parivad, finding prima facie evidence of offenses under BNS Sections 196 and 197.

The magistrate ordered the registration of the parivad and scheduled September 30 for Thakur to record his statement as the complainant. Thakur shared the details via a video on X.