On Friday, the debate at News Nation’s Noida studio turned violent when the engineer-turned-mystic “IIT Baba”, whose real name is Abhay Singh, accused saffron-clad people attacked him. The incident, which was caught in viral videos, has prompted outrage and raised problems about safety in media spaces.
The Incident: Chaos in the Newsroom
- Argument During Live Debate: Abhay Singh alleges the group entered the studio in the middle of a discussion, calling him a “Pakistani agent” before beating him with sticks.
- Protest and Police Involvement: Following the conflict Singh held a sit-in outside Noida’s Sector 126 police station but later ended his protest after being assured of action.
- Viral Footage: The video starts with Singh supposedly trying to leave the studio, but he is blocked.
Who Is IIT Baba?
Abhay Singh’s transformation from IIT-Mumbai aerospace engineer to saffron-robed mataji drew headlines at January’s Maha Kumbh But it’s his audacious predictions, like India losing to Pakistan in cricket, that keep him trending.
- Controversial Prophecies: In what many believe to be his doomsday forecast due to failed Champions Trophy prophecy, he was trolled on social media with IIT Baba vs Virat Kohli memes and memes flooded social media with “IIT Baba vs Virat Kohli: 1-0” memes.
- From Corporate to Karma: Followers celebrate his conversion, but sceptics wonder about his intentions.
Social Media Reacts
The assault video had 2.1M views after 6 hours, with polarized reactions:
- Supporters: Demand justice, referring to “attacks on free speech.”
- Sceptics: Ask why IIT Baba dropped his complaint to the police, detailing that “sadhus don’t carry sticks.”
- Debate on Media Ethics: Journalists criticize the channel for not protecting guests.
Police Response and Next Steps
Noida Police confirmed the incident was reported but no official complaint was made. Sector 126 SHO Bhupendra Singh said:
“He was convinced after talking about it. We will examine CCTV footage to track such people”
Why This Matters
- Safety in Media Spaces: The security breach in the studios alarms the broadcasters.
- Risks of Polarization: “Foreign agent” labels risk creating allegations of an all-too-familiar online dynamic.
- Accountability Gaps: Without the complaint, legal action isn’t likely.
The Bottom Line: A publicity stunt or an authentic assault, the episode shows India’s fraught brew of spirituality, media and mob mentality. As one X user joked: “IIT Baba saw everything except this attack.”
