Rajdeep Sardesai Controversies 2025

Rajdeep Sardesai: Latest News and Controversies 2025

Rajdeep Sardesai, one of India’s most prominent journalists, continues to be a polarizing figure in Indian media. With a career spanning over three decades, Sardesai has been at the center of numerous debates, accolades, and controversies. As of May 2025, his recent remarks on Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK) have sparked fresh outrage, leading to intense speculation about his position at India Today. This article delves into the latest developments surrounding Sardesai, his career highlights, past controversies, and the ongoing debates about journalistic neutrality in India.

Latest Controversy: PoK Remarks and Exit Speculations Of Rajdeep Sardesai

The biggest news surrounding Rajdeep Sardesai in May 2025 revolves around his controversial comments on PoK, which have led to widespread backlash and rumors of his dismissal from India Today.

What Did Rajdeep Sardesai Say?

During a televised debate, Sardesai suggested that India should “formalize the Line of Control (LoC) as the international border” and warned against reclaiming PoK, citing Pakistan’s nuclear capabilities as a deterrent. His remarks were perceived by many as pro-Pakistan and anti-national, particularly in the wake of heightened tensions following the Pahalgam terror attack.

Public and Political Backlash on Rajdeep Sardesai

Social media erupted with criticism, with users accusing Sardesai of fear-mongering and echoing Pakistan’s stance on Kashmir.
ABP News journalist Megha Prasad tweeted cryptically about a “high and mighty” media personality being “booted out,” fueling speculation that Sardesai was the target1.
India Today has not officially confirmed his exit, but internal sources suggest growing discomfort with his perceived bias and controversial takes.

History of Disciplinary Actions against Rajdeep Sardesai

This is not the first time Sardesai has faced repercussions for his reporting:

January 2021: He was taken off-air and docked a month’s salary for falsely claiming a farmer protester died due to police firing (the death was later confirmed as accidental)
2020-2021: He was among several journalists booked for sedition over Republic Day violence coverage, though media bodies condemned the move as an attack on press freedom

Career Highlights and Achievements

Despite controversies, Sardesai remains one of India’s most decorated journalists:

Professional Journey

Early Career: Started at The Times of India, became Managing Editor at NDTV, and later founded CNN-IBN
Current Role: Consulting Editor and prime-time anchor at India Today Group since
Author: His books, including “2014: The Election That Changed India” and “2024: The Election That Surprised India”, are bestsellers

Awards and Recognition

Padma Shri (2008) for contributions to journalism
Multiple Indian Television Academy Awards for Best News Anchor.
Lifetime Achievement Award (2020) at the ENBA Awards

Legal Battles and Ethical Questions

Sardesai’s career has also been marked by legal troubles and accusations of conflict of interest:

Defamation Case with Shazia Ilmi (2025)

In April 2025, the Delhi High Court fined Shazia Ilmi ₹25,000 for hiding facts in a defamation case against Sardesai.
The case stemmed from Sardesai posting a video of Ilmi allegedly abusing his cameraperson after a debate. The court ruled that recording her without consent post-debate was impermissible

Conflict of Interest Allegations

Sardesai’s wife, Sagarika Ghose, is a Trinamool Congress (TMC) Rajya Sabha MP, raising concerns about his political neutrality
Critics argue that his reporting often aligns with opposition narratives, while being overly critical of the BJP government.

What’s Next for Rajdeep Sardesai?

If the rumors of his exit from India Today are true, Sardesai could follow the path of other journalists like Ravish Kumar and Abhisar Sharma, who moved to independent digital platforms after leaving mainstream media.

Possible Scenarios:

Shift to YouTube/Independent Journalism – Where he can operate with less editorial oversight.
Political Commentary – Given his wife’s political affiliation, he may lean further into opposition-leaning analysis.
Return to Writing – Focusing on his books and columns in newspapers like Dainik Bhaskar.

Conclusion: A Divisive Yet Influential Figure

Rajdeep Sardesai’s career exemplifies the challenges of balancing journalism, politics, and public sentiment in India. While his award-winning work has earned him respect, his controversial statements and perceived biases have made him a lightning rod for criticism.

As of May 2025, the PoK remarks controversy has once again put him in the spotlight. Whether he remains with India Today or transitions to a new phase of his career, one thing is certain: Rajdeep Sardesai will continue to be a key voice—and a contentious figure—in Indian media.