When Pakistani news channels need a new soundbite to prop up their “India fuels terror in Balochistan” narrative, they don’t look to ISPR press notes. They look to Indian politicians or journalists like Rajdeep Sardesai. His comments, originally made during a debate could be from any of his por-Pakistan debates. His views are from the 2016-17 debate on India Today. However, that newsbyte is being reused by Pak handles after clubbing it with the NaPak “handshake and trophy” drama at the Asia Cup 2025.
However, irrespective of the timeline, they are now flashing across Pakistani TV screens as proof that India fuels unrest in Balochistan.
Yes, Rajdeep Sardesai markets himself as a liberal voice for peace, but he has handed Pakistan’s propaganda machinery its most convenient quote. His ill-phrased rhetoric demeans the Balochi struggle in the face of its occupying force. Moreover, it hands Pakistan ammunition to use against India at a global stage!
Cricket, Terror, and Rajdeep’s Selective Blindness
India refused to accept the trophy from Pakistan’s Minister and ACC head Mohsin Naqvi. The Indian cricket team also refused to shake hands with the Pakistani team. However, these actions were the politicization of sports or random acts of arrogance. They were a statement or national sentiment. Pakistan remains a terror hub — one that nurtures and glorifies hatred against India as national policy.
Pakistani cricketers themselves have crossed the line repeatedly: posting celebratory social media messages after terror strikes in Pahalgam, spreading fake propaganda after their defeat in Operation Sindoor!
The Pakistani players also provoked the audience with vulgar gestures during their matches with India. The cricket field was already politicized – not by India, but by Pakistan’s toxic playbook. Yet Rajdeep Sardesai, instead of reading the public mood repeadely tries to play the devil’s advocate on his India Today debates. For the Asia Cup controversy, Rajdeep Sardesai says: “Players are there to play games, not be used in dirty politics.” But this is clubbed with his 2016-17 discussion where he suggested that tomorrow India could be accused of terrorism in Balochistan! That one careless line, years ago, is now the crown jewel of Pakistani media propaganda.
Rajdeep’s “Aman Ki Asha” Turns into Pakistan’s “Fitna al Hindustan”
Pakistan’s propaganda machine thrives on co-opting Indian voices. In the era of internet, nothing is forgotten and everything is taken out of context! A stray academic, a rogue politician, or a journalist trying too hard to sound “balanced” – all become instant heroes across the border.
Now, Rajdeep’s face is splashed across Pakistani broadcasts, his quote being used to argue that India is orchestrating terrorism in Balochistan.
In effect, his words were twisted to validate Pakistan’s narrative at international forums. Thus, proving that no pro-Pakistan or anti-India comment is a “harmless analysis.” It is political ammunition being exported. India has seen this before. From Pakistani mouthpieces giving bytes to Western think tanks by misquoting Indian liberals is an everyday experience for Bharat. From UN speeches echoing false and verified claims of victory, Pakistan thrives on borrowed credibility.
Thus, Rajdeep Sardesai’s commentary, wrapped in “Aman ki Asha” sentimentality, is the latest import by Pakistan to validate his “Fitna al-Hindustan” narrative.
Dear Rajdeep Sardesai – Recklessness Is Not Journalism
This is the real problem with Rajdeep Sardesai’s approach. It is not merely tone-deaf to Indian public sentiment. It is reckless support to the voices opposing BJP and India. At a time when Pashtun, PoK, and Baloch activists expose Pakistan’s crimes at global stages – his words from 2016 give them the correct cover to justify actions!
When NaPak terror infrastructure expands every day – an experienced Indian journalist like Rajdeep Sardesai should know better than to throw careless hypotheticals into the air.
Words have consequences, and Rajdeep is learning the fact – the Pakistani way. When those words end up on Pakistani prime-time as “evidence” against India, they cease to be mere opinions. Instead, they fuel NaPak’s propaganda machinery. And Rajdeep Sardesai, willingly or unwillingly, just lent his voice to the enemy’s megaphone.
The question now is simple: how long before Pakistan’s diplomats wave Rajdeep Sardesai’s soundbite at the UN, the way they once waved dossiers full of lies? And when that happens, will Rajdeep Sardesai still dismiss it as “just opinion” or “misquoted analysis”?
Or will Sardesai finally admit that journalism without responsibility is just noise – and in this case, dangerous noise.
