This article on Saurabh Dwivedi is based on the primary research and reporting by OpIndia
Saurabh Dwivedi of Lallantop released a video drenched in self-aggrandizement and victimhood, attempting to defend himself against allegations that he was too terrified to fact-check Nupur Sharma’s controversial remarks. This alleged failure by Saurabh Dwivedi to verify her statements has reportedly led to Sharma receiving death and rape threats from jihadists over the past two years. The desperate attempt by Saurabh Dwivedi to portray himself as a fearless truth-seeker hinges on three dubious claims.
The Phantom Invitation at the BJP Event
Saurabh Dwivedi asserts that shortly after the infamous TimesNow debate where Nupur Sharma responded to Tasleem Rehmani’s provocative remarks about the Shivling found at Gyanvapi, he invited her to appear on Lallantop during a BJP event. This event, the BJP’s 8-year anniversary press conference, occurred on May 31, 2022. However, Nupur Sharma, categorically denies any recollection of such an invitation.
At that time, Sharma was freely engaging with the media, giving soundbites and even conducting a one-hour interview with OpIndia. The notion that she refused to speak to Lallantop is not only counterintuitive but absurd. If Saurabh Dwivedi truly wanted Sharma on his show, he would have pursued a direct and formal request. It would not be a fleeting mention at a crowded event. Dwivedi’s claim crumbles under scrutiny, exposing his reluctance to earnestly seek Sharma’s participation.
The Dubious Party Encounter Saurabh Dwivedi
The second assertion by Saurabh Dwivedi involves a private party hosted by an IAS couple in April 2023, where he claims to have asked Sharma to join his show. Sharma, however, recalls the party differently. She was surprised to see Dwivedi and his wife and initiated a conversation about her struggles post-backlash. She does not remember any formal invitation from Dwivedi to appear on Lallantop.
Even if Dwivedi did mention it in passing, it hardly qualifies as a genuine effort. In fact, it was Sharma who approached Dwivedi, not the other way around. His portrayal of this encounter is misleading and indicative of a deliberate attempt to fabricate a narrative that portrays him as proactive when he clearly was not.
The Fabrication Post-Ranganathan Video
Dwivedi’s third claim is perhaps the most egregious. He alleges that after Dr. Anand Ranganathan’s video criticizing Lallantop, he again reached out to Sharma for an interview. OpIndia’s investigation, however, reveals this to be a blatant lie. Sharma confirmed that neither Dwivedi nor his team contacted her following the viral video.
Dr. Ranganathan’s video highlighted Lallantop’s double standards, contrasting their readiness to feature Drishti IAS coaching founder Vikas Divyakirti with their refusal to fact-check Sharma’s statements. Ranganathan suggested that Lallantop’s fear of Islamist threats, as opposed to threats from the Hindu community, drove their inaction.
The Cowardice of Saurabh Dwivedi
Saurabh Dwivedi’s defense crumbles upon examination. His attempts to pass off casual interactions as formal invitations reveal a pattern of deceit. Over two years, Dwivedi failed to make any direct, formal attempts to contact Sharma. Moreover, Lallantop’s history of conducting fact-checks without needing the subjects to appear on their show further exposes their hypocrisy.
Why did Lallantop require Sharma’s presence to fact-check her statements? This selective approach smacks of cowardice. Instead of standing up for Sharma, who has been relentlessly targeted, Dwivedi’s video is a desperate attempt to justify his inaction.
The Cowardice of Lallantop
Saurabh Dwivedi’s convoluted defense is nothing more than a feeble attempt to mask his cowardice. His manipulation of casual encounters into supposed formal invitations and his failure to support Nupur Sharma in her time of need reveal a troubling lack of journalistic integrity. In the end, Dwivedi’s narrative only serves to highlight his and Lallantop’s failure to uphold the truth and stand against the forces of intimidation.