Newslaundry recently shared a news byte featuring a Dr Riaz Pathan, who claimed he had attended the CJP protest in Delhi and had also come prepared with a first-aid kit for the Mumbai protest.
Dr. Riaz Pathan, who was also present at the Delhi CJP protest, came prepared with his first-aid kit in mumbai too.@bhoolibisleri reports. pic.twitter.com/nQ77TLBbik
— newslaundry (@newslaundry) October 2, 2026
However, Pathan’s political links add another layer to his appearance.
Here is what Newslaundry won’t tell you.
Pathan is associated with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and has previously written about joining Arvind Kejriwal’s political movement. His political background was not mentioned in Newslaundry’s vox pop, where he was presented as a doctor and protest participant.
The portrayal of Pathan becomes even more questionable. Newslaundry presents him almost as a saviour, as though he has descended from the heavens to serve humanity, rather than as a politically affiliated individual participating in the protest.
Pathan’s background information is important given the involvement of AAP Maharashtra leader Ajinkya Shinde in the CJP protests.
In an Instagram Live, CJP spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka reportedly acknowledged that Shinde had organised and handled the arrangements for the Jantar Mantar protest. Shinde has also been described as Abhijeet Dipke’s mentor and has since held an organisational position within CJP while continuing his association with AAP.
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Shinde was also reportedly involved in the arrangements for the 2 October 2026 Mumbai protest.
The result is a curious chain of connections: an AAP-linked doctor appears in Newslaundry’s coverage of a CJP protest, while another AAP leader linked to CJP’s leadership has played a key role in organising its protests. Additionally, Pathan himself has wished Shinde for his birthday.
Kya be fraud @AbhinandanSekhr
Why are you not telling your audience that Dr Riaz Pathan is an AAP leader who works very closely with Abhijieet Dipke’s mentor and AAP Maharashtra leader Ajinkya Sinde, one of the masterminds of the CJP protest? https://t.co/z14N3zJlir pic.twitter.com/a3oeNe9lsy
— Office Of Vijay Patel (@VijayGajeraO) October 2, 2026
Yet Newslaundry’s presentation of Pathan leaves out his political background.
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