Suresh Chavhanke

Suresh Chavhanke
Born	(1972-02-18) February 18, 1972 (age 53) [1] Shirdi, Maharashtra, India [1]
Occupations	TV anchor Businessman [2]
Organization	Sudarshan News
Website	https://sureshchavhanke.in/

Suresh Chavhanke is a far-right Hindutva journalist who is the current chairman, managing director (CMD) and the editor-in-chief of Sudarshan News (Sudarshan TV Channel Limited). ^[3] He is the anchor of TV show Bindas Bol. ^[2]

Early life and career

Suresh Chavhanke is a member of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh since the age of 3 years when he started attending its ceremonies. ^[4] As a member of RSS, he had worked as a reporter of pro-RSS newspaper Tarun Bharat . He held several posts in RSS before becoming a full-time reporter. He launched Sudarshan News channel in 2005 in Pune and later shifted it to Noida. ^[4] He is currently the chairman, managing director and editor-in-chief of Sudarshan News. He hosts the show Bindas Bol. ^[2]

Awards

• 2013: Bhartiya Manav Adhikar Samman for Peace, Harmony, Protecting & promoting human rights by All India Council of Human rights , liberties & social justice ^[5]
• 2013: 'International Journalism Award' by 'Naate Samaajaashi' and 'Jain Parivar' ^[6]
• 2015: 'Dharmaveer Sambhaji Maharaj' award ^[7]
• 2015: RCVD International 'Dharma Warrior' award ^[8]
• 2018: Pride of the Nation Award by Veterans India ^{[9] [10]}

Legal issues and controversies

• An FIR was lodged with Noida Police against Suresh Chavhanke for allegedly raping a former employee of his channel Sudarshan News in November 2016. ^[11] He was booked by Police under 11 sections of the IPC; police had investigated the case but the charges were not substantiated as per the closure report filed by the Police in January 2017. ^{[4] [12]} Yati Narsinghanand Saraswati, convener of the Akhil Bhartiya Sant Parishad, alleged that complainant was under influence of Jihadist elements and claimed that they have solid proofs but can't disclose to media. ^[12] Several organisations alleged that he was victimised because he stood up for 'Hindu cause'. ^[12]

• In April 2017, Chavhanke was booked and later arrested for inciting communal hatred between the two communities. ^[13] The residents of Uttar Pradesh had registered a complaint against Sudarshan News’ show ‘Bindaas Bol’, hosted by Chavhanke and had alleged that it aired programmes that promoted communal disharmony and hostility between religious groups. Subsequently, Chavhanke was booked under various IPC sections and section 16 of the Cable Television Network (Regulation) Act, 1955 was also invoked. ^[14] After being released on bail, he claimed that it was an attempt to "suppress and intimidate media". ^[15]

• In 2018, he started a Bharat Bachav rally allegedly to give a message on population control. ^[16] The rally was interrupted by Hyderabad Police citing law and order problems created by the event.
• He was also in controversy after many people including 91 retired Civil servants filed case against him claiming that his programme 'Bindas Bol' contains derogatory statements about Muslim community and was divisive in nature, the programme related Muslims entering civil services to “infiltration” and “Jihad” in UPSC Exams which was paused by Allahabad High Court on 1 September 2020. ^{[17] [18] [19] [20] [21]}

Hate Speech Allegations

Hindu Yuva Vahini Event ( December 2021)

In December 2021, Suresh Chavhanke, administered an oath at a Hindu Yuva Vahini event in Delhi, urging attendees to "fight," "die," and "kill if required" to establish a Hindu nation. This event sparked widespread criticism, with multiple complaints filed against him for hate speech and inciting communal tensions. Initially, the Delhi Police claimed that no hate speech occurred, but after Supreme Court intervention, they registered an FIR in May 2022. The police later informed the court that the investigation was in an advanced stage, awaiting a forensic voice sample analysis. ^{[22] [23]}

Despite the legal action, Chavhanke has continued to defend his speech, claiming it was an expression of his ideological beliefs. The Supreme Court of India criticized the delay in action and directed the Delhi Police to provide a more comprehensive affidavit on the matter. The case remains under investigation, with legal proceedings ongoing.

"UPSC Jihad" Program (August 2020)

In September 2020, Sudarshan News aired a program titled "Bindas Bol," hosted by Editor-in-Chief Suresh Chavhanke, which alleged a conspiracy termed "UPSC Jihad." The show claimed that Muslims were systematically infiltrating India's civil services, suggesting that Muslim candidates received undue advantages in the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) examinations. These assertions were based on misleading data and unverified claims, including allegations of preferential treatment and undue benefits for Muslim aspirants. ^[24]

The program faced widespread condemnation for promoting communal disharmony and spreading misinformation. Critics highlighted that the content was offensive and had the potential to promote communal attitudes. In response, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting issued a caution to Sudarshan News, advising the channel to be more careful in the future and warning of stricter penal action in case of further violations. ^[25]

The Supreme Court of India also intervened, expressing concerns over the show's content and temporarily restraining the channel from airing further episodes. The court described the program as "insidious" and emphasized the need to balance freedom of the press with the responsibility to prevent communal discord. ^[26]

References

1. "Chavhanke should be treated as per Law". Afternoon Voice. 6 November 2016. Retrieved 6 January 2025.
2. "Noida woman says she was raped by Sudarshan News channel's owner". Janta Ka Reporter. 5 November 2016. Archived from the original on 20 March 2018. Retrieved 20 March 2018.
3. "SUDARSHAN TV CHANNEL LIMITED".
4. Bharadwaj, Ashutosh (14 April 2017). "Held for 'promoting enmity', TV channel head is proud of it". Indian Express. Express News Service. Archived from the original on 2 April 2018. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
5. "Award 2013". Archived from the original on 2 December 2024.
6. "Shri. Suresh Chavanke of Sudarshan TV felicitated with 'International Journalism Award'". Hindu Janajagruti Samiti. Archived from the original on 4 July 2024. Retrieved 1 April 2025.
7. "Sudarshan TV's Suresh Chavhanke honoured with 'Dharmaveer Sambhaji Maharaj' award". Hindu Janajagruti Samiti. Archived from the original on 23 February 2022. Retrieved 1 April 2025.
8. "RCVD International "Dharma Warrior" Award in New York on Hindu Unity Day. Dedicating 2 supporters". X.
9. "5th Edition Pride of Nation Awardees Felicitated by Nitin Gadkari". ANI News. Retrieved 1 April 2025.
10. CHAVHANKE, SURESH. "Suresh Chavhanke". SURESH CHAVHANKE. Retrieved 1 April 2025.
11. "Noida: Rape charge against news channel exec". The Indian Express. 4 November 2016. Archived from the original on 27 December 2016. Retrieved 26 December 2016.
12. "Noida: Sudarshan News owner yet to be held in rape case". Hindustan Times. 6 November 2016. Archived from the original on 20 March 2018. Retrieved 20 March 2018.
13. "Sudarshan TV channel editor Suresh Chavhanke arrested for inciting communal hatred". India Today. 13 April 2017. Archived from the original on 20 March 2018. Retrieved 20 March 2018.
14. "Suresh Chavhanke, Sudarshan News editor-in-chief, booked on charges of spreading communal hate". The Hindu. 12 April 2017. Archived from the original on 16 April 2017. Retrieved 20 March 2018.
15. "Editor-in-chief of Sudarshan TV granted bail, was alleged arrested for inciting communal hatred". Hindustan Times. 15 April 2017. Archived from the original on 20 March 2018. Retrieved 20 March 2018.
16. "Supreme Court refuses to restrain TV channel head from carrying out a march". Indian Express. 19 February 2018. Archived from the original on 21 March 2018. Retrieved 20 March 2018.
17. "'UPSC Jihad': Jamia Writes to Education Ministry, Seeks Action Against Sudarshan News". The Wire. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
18. "UPSC Jihad: Suresh Chavhanke of Sudarshan TV could never have cleared the UPSC". National Herald. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
19. "91 retired civil servants demand action on Sudarshan News for 'UPSC Jihad' show". The News Minute . 1 September 2020. Archived from the original on 5 July 2023. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
20. "Show on Muslim 'infiltration' in civil service: SC declines stay, HC stops broadcast". The Indian Express. 29 August 2020. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
21. "Supreme Court roasts Sudarshan TV for 'insidious' show on UPSC exam". Hindustan Times. 15 September 2020. Retrieved 15 September 2020.
22. Team, N. L. (13 January 2023). "Chavhanke hate speech probe: SC pulls up Delhi Police again, over 'no arrest, chargesheet'". Newslaundry. Retrieved 14 February 2025.
23. "Delhi Police informs SC: investigation in hate speech case of Hindu Yuva Vahini at advanced stage". www.thelawadvice.com. Retrieved 14 February 2025.
24. "A List of All the False Claims Made in Sudarshan TV's 'UPSC Jihad' Show". thewire.in. Retrieved 14 February 2025.
25. Dutta, Amrita Nayak (18 November 2020). "'UPSC jihad' show offensive, could promote communal attitudes — govt in affidavit to SC". ThePrint. Retrieved 14 February 2025.
26. "SC stays telecast of Sudarshan TV show, says programme appears to vilify Muslims". The Indian Express. 15 September 2020. Retrieved 14 February 2025.