New Delhi – Major General Harsha Kakar (Retd.) has sparked a heated debate on social media by accusing The Wire, journalist Karan Thapar, and defense analyst Pravin Sawhney of supporting Pakistan due to alleged financial incentives. In a post on X, Kakar stated, “Could anything better be expected from the combination of
@thewire_in
@KaranThapar_TTP
and
@PravinSawhney
. They have to support Pak. It is their pay masters. No wonder this
@svaradarajan
owned rag begs for funds alongside these two dimwits.”
The controversy stems from The Wire’s coverage of recent India-Pakistan military tensions, particularly Sawhney’s claim that Pakistan downed an Indian Rafale during Operation Sindoor, a assertion that has been widely disputed. Sawhney, a former military officer and editor of Force magazine, has a history of critiquing Indian military strategies, which has drawn ire from figures like Kakar.
Karan Thapar, known for his incisive interviews, has been associated with The Wire and has platformed Sawhney’s views, further fueling the debate. The Wire, founded by Siddharth Varadarajan in 2015, relies on public donations, a model that Kakar suggests influences its editorial stance against Indian interests.
This incident highlights ongoing concerns about media bias and the influence of foreign narratives in Indian journalism, especially amidst heightened national security discussions. The Wire has not yet responded to Kakar’s allegations, but the post has reignited debates on the integrity of independent media in India.