News Tamil Nadu

Exposing The Hindu’s Hidden Agenda: Vijata Singh’s Inflammatory Misreporting On Manipur

March 18, 2025
The Commune

In a volatile state like Manipur, where ethnic tensions between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities have led to prolonged violence and unrest, the role of the media becomes critical. Responsible journalism is not just about reporting facts but also about ensuring that the narrative does not exacerbate tensions or mislead the public. Unfortunately, Vijaita Singh, a senior journalist with The Hindu, has been accused of repeatedly publishing inflammatory, vague, and misleading reports that risk fueling the already fragile situation in Manipur.  Here’s a closer look at how her reporting has contributed to the problem.

The Chronology Of Misreporting

Since 3 May 2023, when the violence in Manipur first escalated, Vijaita Singh’s reports have often been criticized for their tone and content. Her articles and tweets have been accused of lacking nuance, misrepresenting facts, and amplifying divisive narratives. Below are some examples:

Inflammatory Reporting on Protests

In a recent report dated 9 March 2025, Vijaita quoted Hai Hatchingthem Kipgen, a college student leading protests in Kangpokpi, who accused security forces of attacking protesters. She included a statement where a security force member allegedly told protesters, “We are not Indians.” While the claim was later clarified by the protester that the superior officer intervened immediately, Vijaita’s decision to highlight this statement without proper context risked inflaming anti-security force sentiments.

Why It’s Problematic: In a state where trust in central forces is already low, such reporting can deepen mistrust and provoke further unrest. The inclusion of unverified claims without adequate context is irresponsible.

Misleading Headlines And Erroneous Reporting

On 23 January 2024, The Hindu published a report by Vijaita with the headline: “Meitei MLAs call for ‘positive action.” The article claimed that 35Meitei MLAs had passed a resolution questioning the role of central forces. However, The Hindu later issued a clarification stating
that the headline and text were erroneous. The resolution was passed by 35 MLAs excluding the ten Kuki-Zo legislators, not exclusively by Meitei MLAs.

Why It’s Problematic: Such errors, especially in a sensitive environment, can deepen communal divides. By framing the resolution as a Meitei-only move, the report risked alienating the Kuki-Zo community and escalating tensions.

Sensationalizing Central Government’s Role

In another report, Vijaita highlighted that Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh had skipped a North Eastern Council (NEC) meeting chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. She also reported that Singh questioned the efficacy of central security forces in curbing violence in Moreh, a Kuki-Zo-dominated area.

Why It’s Problematic: While reporting on the Chief Minister’s actions is important, framing it as a direct confrontation with the central government risks politicizing the issue further. Such narratives can undermine efforts to restore peace and trust between the state and central authorities.

Did She Do A Barkha Dutt?

Singh is also accused of pulling an act similar to the one by the infamous journalist Barkha Dutt. Singh, whether intentional or unintentional, had leaked the names of Army officers from Manipur as below.

The Impact Of Irresponsible Journalism

Vijaita’s reports often focus on divisive statements and actions without providing the broader context. This can deepen existing fault lines between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities.

By highlighting unverified claims against security forces and central authorities, her reporting risks eroding public trust in institutions that are critical to maintaining peace.

In today’s digital age, journalists’ reports are often amplified on social media. Inflammatory or misleading reporting can lead to widespread
misinformation, further complicating efforts to restore normalcy.

While The Hindu has issued clarifications for some of Vijaita’s errors, the damage caused by such reporting cannot always be undone. In a state as volatile as Manipur, journalists must exercise maximum restraint and prioritize peace-building over sensationalism.

Vijaita Singh’s reporting on Manipur has repeatedly come under scrutiny for its inflammatory and misleading nature. While the media has the right to report freely, it also has a responsibility to ensure that its reporting does not exacerbate conflicts or spread misinformation. In a state like Manipur, where peace hangs by a thread, journalists must act as mediators of truth, not as amplifiers of division.

Going by the repetitive misreporting, one can’t help but wonder if the propagandists at The Hindu are in the payrolls of vested interests.

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