Congress announces anchor boycott list, says 'won't legitimise hate narrative'

"We do not hate these anchors but we love the country more," Congress senior leader Pawan Khera said, accusing them of opening a "shop of hatred" every evening.

"We do not want to legitimise this hate-filled narrative that is corroding our society," he added in a video message posted on X, formerly Twitter.

The BJP lost no time in retaliating on the same.

"The history of Congress has many instances of bullying the media and silencing those with differing views," BJP chief JP Nadda posted on X alleging that every member of the Nehru-Gandhi family, starting with India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, had tried to gag the media.

"The decision taken by the INDIA Alliance parties involved in the arrogant alliance to boycott and threaten journalists is highly condemnable. This reflects their oppressive and dictatorial thinking. BJP strongly condemns this poor mentality of the Alliance", tweeted BJP National Media In-charge Anil Baluni.

In a statement, the News Broadcasters & Digital Association said it was "deeply anguished and concerned" by the decision of the Opposition alliance.

"The ban on representatives of the opposition alliance from participating in TV news shows anchored by some of India's top TV news personalities goes against the ethos of democracy. It betokens intolerance and imperils press freedom," the statement read.

The decision to boycott anchors and shows was taken at the first meeting of the INDIA coordination committee held at the home of Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar on Wednesday evening. 

The opposition has repeatedly accused a section of the media of hostility and spewing hate.

During Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Yatra, the Congress accused a section of the media of giving it meagre coverage.  It was voiced by Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok GEhlot when the yatra was passing through the state.