If you have been scrolling through Indian social media in the last couple of months, you have probably seen the question popping up everywhere:

“What happened to Arnab Goswami?” Once celebrated (or criticized) as one of the loudest pro-BJP voices on prime-time television, the Republic TV editor-in-chief suddenly seemed to be firing salvos at the Modi government on issues ranging from Delhi’s toxic air to environmental destruction in the Aravallis.

Has the nation’s self-proclaimed “voice of the people” finally flipped and gone full anti-Modi?

Short answer: No, not really. It is more nuanced than the viral memes and heated WhatsApp forwards suggest.

Let us break it down.

The Trigger: A Series Of Sharp Critiques

Towards the end of 2025, Arnab’s evening debates took a noticeable turn.

He went after:

Delhi’s air pollution crisis – relentlessly questioning why the AQI was still hitting apocalyptic levels year after year.
Environmental concerns in the Aravalli hills – highlighting alleged violations and Supreme Court strictures.
Airline passenger woes – particularly the IndiGo chaos that left thousands stranded.
Lavish spending by some leaders, while ordinary citizens struggled with everyday issues.

These were not gentle suggestions; they were classic Arnab-style grillings – loud, uncompromising, and aimed squarely at government inaction.

For viewers used to seeing him defend nationalist causes with unyielding fervor, this felt like a plot twist.

Arnab’s Own Response: “I Am Pro-People, Not Pro, Or Anti-Government”

In a widely discussed live “Ask Me Anything” session on Republic TV in late December 2025, Arnab directly addressed the speculation. He rejected the binary labels altogether:

“It is not about being pro-government or anti-government. It is about being pro-people. We fight for citizens’ rights, hold power accountable – no matter who is in power.”

He framed his journalism as citizen-first, emphasizing issues that affect health, the environment, and daily life.

Moreover, importantly, he has not wavered on core nationalist or security-related stances that historically aligned him closely with the BJP’s ideology.

So, Why The Perceived Shift?

Several theories are floating around, and none point to a complete ideological U-turn:

Issue-Based accountability: Many see this as Arnab simply doing what he claims: calling out failures on public-welfare issues while staying supportive on bigger ideological fronts. Environment and pollution are not exactly core Hindutva battlegrounds.
Strategic Positioning: After the BJP’s 2024 election results forced a coalition government, the media landscape shifted. Some analysts suggest Arnab is recalibrating to appeal to a broader audience and maintain credibility by balancing aggressive nationalism with genuine public grievances.
The Ratings Game: Let us be real, conflict sells. With peace (relatively speaking) in some arenas, high-voltage debates on everyday frustrations keep viewership high. Competition is fierce, and channels need fresh battles.
Genuine Concern? Arnab has always positioned himself as the ultimate people’s champion. If he is genuinely upset about Delhiites choking on smog or forests being razed, this could just be that ethos in action.

The wilder conspiracy theories, blackmail, secret deals, or sudden ideological awakenings, remain just that: theories without solid backing.

The Bottom Line

Arnab Goswami has not “become completely against” the BJP or Narendra Modi.

He is still very much the fiery nationalist anchor India knows, but he has added a layer of pointed criticism on governance lapses that directly impact citizens.

Whether this is a permanent evolution, a tactical pivot, or simply good journalism holding power to account, only time will tell.

One thing is clear: in Indian media, Arnab remains unignorable.

Love him or loathe him, he is still shaping the national conversation, just with a slightly different target list this season.

What do you think? Is this a real shift or just Arnab being Arnab? Drop your thoughts below.