Jammu and Kashmir: Zee News and its anchor Malhotra Malika have come under intense criticism after spreading misinformation about a viral video that showed a Kashmiri Muslim man offering Zuhur prayers atop a vehicle. The news channel falsely claimed that the man had halted his truck in the middle of the road, causing a traffic jam on the Srinagar-Jammu highway.
However, it was later revealed that the actual cause of the traffic disruption was a landslide between Ramban and Banihal, which led to a complete blockage of the highway. The video, which had originally shown the truck driver waiting for the road to be cleared, was manipulated by Zee News to falsely portray him as the cause of the traffic jam due to his religious observance.
The manipulated report quickly spread across social media, sparking outrage among viewers, particularly those from Jammu and Kashmir, who accused the channel of intentionally distorting facts to fuel communal division. The public backlash has led to calls for accountability from both the channel and its anchor.
Several social media users have demanded an FIR against Zee News and Malhotra Malika for spreading misinformation and promoting communal hatred. Many pointed out that Zee News has a history of controversial and divisive reporting, further deepening the mistrust in its coverage.
Nasir Khuehami, the National Convenor of the J&K Student Association, expressed his anger on social media, via X post Shame on you, Zee News and Malhotra, for spreading blatant propaganda! The entire world knows the Srinagar-Jammu highway is often blocked due to weather, but you have manufactured a false narrative to incite communal hatred. This driver, like any devout Muslim, was offering his prayers while waiting for the road to be cleared due to a landslide. There was no traffic jam caused by Namaz – that’s a complete fabrication on your part. Legal action must be taken against this reckless reporting!
Khuehami further emphasized that the false narrative could have serious consequences, urging authorities to take legal action against the news channel to prevent further harm. He also questioned how much more propaganda Zee News would continue to spread, pointing to the dangers of biased and misleading journalism in a sensitive region like Kashmir.
Zee News, in the face of mounting criticism, has yet to issue an official statement or apology regarding the incident. Meanwhile, the public continues to voice their dissatisfaction, with many calling for a review of the channel’s editorial practices to prevent the spread of fake news and divisive rhetoric. The incident has once again raised concerns about the role of media in shaping public perception and the responsibility of news outlets in reporting accurately, especially when it comes to sensitive issues of religion and community.