Overview of the #BoycottABPNews Trend
As of September 10, 2025, the hashtag #BoycottABPNews has surged to prominence on X (formerly Twitter), driven primarily by Indian netizens accusing ABP News of promoting anti-Brahmin and anti-Hindu bias in its coverage. The trend appears to have gained momentum today, with thousands of posts criticizing the channel for allegedly spreading divisive narratives that target specific communities and incite social tensions. This backlash reflects broader frustrations with perceived media bias in India, where channels are often accused of sensationalism to boost ratings, sometimes at the expense of communal harmony.
Key Trigger: ABP News’ Coverage of Nepal Unrest
The immediate catalyst for the boycott call is ABP News’ recent debate on the ongoing political unrest in Nepal, which erupted into violence following a controversial constitutional amendment and protests against the government. In a viral segment aired earlier this week, ABP News anchor Pratima Mishra hosted a discussion titled something along the lines of “Is there a caste connection behind Nepal’s violence?” The panelists, including Mishra, suggested that Brahmins—comprising about 12% of Nepal’s population—hold disproportionate power in governance and administration, framing the protests as a backlash against “Brahmin dominance.” Clips of this show have been widely shared on X, with users labeling it as “poisonous propaganda” that equates legitimate political dissent with caste-based conspiracy.
- Specific Accusations: Netizens point to Mishra’s comments, where she allegedly linked the violence to Brahmin influence, drawing parallels to Indian societal issues. One widely reposted clip shows her saying, “In Nepal, Brahmins are only 12% but dominate the administration—could this be fueling the riots?” Critics argue this narrative demonizes Brahmins, a traditionally priestly caste in Hinduism, and risks inflaming caste tensions in India, where similar dynamics have led to historical conflicts.
- Past Grievances Amplified: This isn’t isolated. Users are resurfacing older complaints, such as ABP News’ alleged relentless criticism of Hindu saints like Prajnanalal Devidas (Bhole Baba) and Aniruddhacharya, whom the channel has accused of promoting superstition or hate speech. One X post from activist Chandan Sharma warned, “ABP News is spreading rumors that could incite riots like in Nepal—opposition might exploit this for power. #BoycottABPNews.” Another from Apurva Singh (BJYM social media head) stated, “ABP News seems to have taken up the contract to defame Brahmins by blaming them for Nepal’s unrest. This is a new way to target Hindus.”
The trend has seen rapid escalation, with posts from BJP-aligned influencers like Shubham Shukla vowing to quit X if it doesn’t reach the top 5 trends in 30 minutes, leading to coordinated amplification. By evening, it had amassed over 10,000 mentions, with many users sharing screenshots of the Nepal debate and calling for FIRs against the channel and anchor.
Broader Context of Media Bias in India
This boycott fits into a larger pattern of public distrust toward Indian media, where channels like ABP News are frequently accused of bias—though ironically, ABP has been labeled both as “Godi media” (lapdog media favoring the BJP) by left-leaning critics and as anti-Hindu by right-wing voices. Wikipedia and reports from outlets like Al Jazeera highlight ABP’s inclusion in lists of biased channels, criticized for aligning with Hindutva ideology or corporate interests while spreading fake news and inflammatory stories. A 2025 Lokniti-CSDS survey found 82% of independent journalists perceive favoritism toward the BJP in media coverage.
- Historical Boycotts: Opposition alliances like INDIA have previously boycotted 14 anchors (including some from ABP) in 2023-2024 for hate-mongering and bias. In the 2025 Pahalgam attack aftermath, Kashmiris protested ABP’s “communal coverage,” chanting against anchor Chitra Tripathi. However, the current trend flips the script, with pro-Hindu users now targeting ABP for “Brahmin-bashing.”
- Impact on ABP News: The channel, launched as Star News in 1998 and rebranded in 2012, has faced ongoing scrutiny. Despite winning awards like Best Hindi News Channel in 2022, its ratings-driven debates often prioritize sensationalism. Internal sources (per X rumors) suggest panic in ABP’s newsroom over the trend’s origins, with some speculating BJP IT cell involvement.
Netizens’ Reactions and Calls to Action
X posts under #BoycottABPNews are overwhelmingly negative, with users from Hindu nationalist circles leading the charge:
- Community-Specific Anger: Brahmin groups demand apologies and legal action, with one post reading, “Don’t let Pratima Mishra off easy—make her apologize live on ABP or file FIRs nationwide.”
- Broader Media Critique: Many extend the boycott to “all anti-Hindu channels,” citing examples like ABP’s coverage of Russian oil profits allegedly benefiting Brahmins or live-in relationships as “promoting immorality.”
- Counter-Narratives: A minority defends ABP, calling the trend “orchestrated by BJP trolls,” but these are drowned out. No major ABP response has surfaced yet, though the channel’s social media is flooded with complaints.
This trend underscores deepening polarization in India’s media landscape, where boycotts have become a tool for netizens to hold outlets accountable—or settle scores. As of now, #BoycottABPNews shows no signs of fading, potentially affecting ABP’s viewership and advertiser relations in a competitive market.
