India Today’s Chief Sub-Editor Shipra Parashar found herself at the centre of a social media storm after she erroneously identified the accused in a high-profile abuse incident in Mumbai as “Rahul” instead of “Rahil.” The mistake, whether inadvertent or otherwise, sparked intense backlash online, prompting India Today to edit the article and correct the error.
The Controversial Incident: Abuse on Mumbai Street
The controversy revolves around Rahil Javed Shaikh, the son of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) leader Javed Shaikh, who was caught on video verbally abusing social media influencer Rajshree More in Mumbai. The altercation reportedly occurred after a minor collision between their vehicles, leading to a heated exchange on a public street.
In the video, which Rajshree More shared widely on her social media accounts, Rahil is seen shirtless and appears intoxicated while aggressively arguing with More. The clip quickly went viral, triggering public outrage over his behaviour.
Feeling unsafe and harassed, Rajshree More filed a formal complaint against Rahil at the Amboli police station. She demanded strict legal action, expressing her fear and discomfort over the threatening conduct displayed during the incident.
Previous Controversy Involving Rajshree More
This incident follows an earlier controversy involving Rajshree More herself. Just weeks prior, she posted a video criticizing the Marathi-speaking community in Mumbai. In her video, More opposed the aggressive promotion of the Marathi language, suggesting that Mumbai’s economy would suffer if migrant workers, who constitute a significant part of the city’s workforce, decided to leave.
Her remarks sparked widespread anger, particularly among MNS supporters. Members of the MNS’s Versova unit filed a complaint against More at the Oshiwara police station. In response to the backlash, she publicly apologised and deleted the contentious video.
India Today’s Reporting Error and the Backlash
In covering the altercation between Rahil Shaikh and Rajshree More, India Today initially published a report incorrectly naming the accused as “Rahul” instead of “Rahil.” The error, published under the supervision of Shipra Parashar, led to sharp criticism from netizens who accused the media outlet of irresponsibility and factual negligence, particularly given the political sensitivity of the case.
Many social media users highlighted that misreporting the name could have led to misidentification, legal complications, and potential communal misunderstandings. Some users also raised concerns over whether the mistake was deliberate, given the delicate political undertones of the case involving an MNS leader’s son.
In response to the online outrage, India Today quickly updated the article to correct the error. However, the criticism against Shipra Parashar and the publication continued to trend online, with many demanding more stringent editorial checks in sensitive cases.
Netizen Reactions
The misreporting incident drew sharp reactions across social media platforms. Some notable responses included:
“Such basic errors in identifying the accused reflect poorly on India Today’s editorial standards. This is not acceptable journalism.”
“Media outlets need to be more careful, especially when political figures are involved. A single wrong name can escalate tensions.”
“This isn’t the first time mainstream media has played fast and loose with facts. Accountability is a must.”
The incident has once again highlighted the importance of accuracy in news reporting, particularly in a hyper-sensitive digital environment where misinformation spreads rapidly and can have serious consequences.
As of now, Mumbai Police are continuing their investigation into the incident between Rahil Shaikh and Rajshree More, while calls for ethical and responsible journalism continue to resonate in public discourse.
