Anjana Om Kashyap is an Indian news anchor who works with the Hindi news channel Aaj Tak as a Managing Editor. She has decades of experience in journalism and is known for presenting news assertively and energetically. Whether it is election coverage or discussions on other important issues, she has a distinctive style that sets her apart. "Halla Bol" and "Special Report" are two of her most popular shows.
She is known as a fearless journalist. However, in May 2026, Anjana Kashyap made remarks about YouTube educators that led to a significant public controversy. Her comments sparked one of the biggest media debates of 2026 after she referred to YouTube teachers as "do kaudi ke" ("not worth two pennies") during a live primetime debate on May 29–30, 2026.
Many people interpreted her statement as insulting toward teachers. Unlike politicians or celebrities, teachers are generally not public figures, yet they found themselves at the centre of the controversy following her remarks. The words she used to describe the teachers suggested that they lacked real expertise in any subject, yet believed they were important enough to teach anything to anyone.
She referred to some of India's most-followed YouTube teachers as "big frauds." Following these remarks, the issue quickly went viral. She further argued that many teachers on these platforms know very little and use blackboards, drawings, and other visual elements not to educate students but to attract views. According to her criticism, they rely on drama, likes, and sensational content primarily to earn money from innocent students.
The controversy erupted in the midst of the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak scandal, when several YouTube educators were publicly criticising the government and the media for their handling of the issue. Rather than addressing those criticisms, Anjana directed her remarks toward the teachers themselves, accusing them of using blackboards, eye-catching thumbnails, and dramatic presentations solely to gain views and generate income, without possessing the necessary knowledge or qualifications to support their claims.
The internet, however, did not take it well. Abhinay Sir (Abhinay Maths) was among the first to respond, posing a simple yet powerful question: if YouTube teachers are worthless, who has been preparing millions of students for JEE, NEET, SSC, and UPSC examinations all these years?
Suman Mam (Ocean Gurukul) pointed out that she conducts free marathon classes for students who cannot afford coaching and questioned why a journalist sitting in an air-conditioned studio was calling her a fraud instead of focusing on the real issues. Khan Sir, who has tens of millions of followers, delivered what many considered the sharpest response: "Tu apna gyaan apne paas rakh." ("Keep your knowledge to yourself.")
Many people expressed their anger on social media. Some argued that the allegation was completely baseless and purely judgmental. How can someone judge another person without truly knowing them?
First of all, no one knows another person's circumstances, educational qualifications, or the challenges they may be facing in life. Likewise, no one fully understands how another individual lives their life. A screen is not a reliable way to judge someone. Making judgmental comments about others is easy—it takes only a few seconds. The teachers are giving their time, energy and efforts, and of course their knowledge to people across the country.
Indeed, thousands of students from Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Jharkhand flooded social media with personal testimonials about how YouTube teachers helped them through the COVID-19 lockdowns and supported their exam preparations when no other options were available. During that difficult period, many students felt that no one else was there to help them. Some even stated that they understood certain topics better from online teachers than from traditional classroom coaching.
Posting videos to gain likes and views does not necessarily mean that a teacher or YouTuber is uneducated, nor does it prove that a YouTube educator is not helping students through their knowledge and expertise. Students are mature enough to distinguish between good and poor-quality educational content. If they find a topic easy to understand, they often encourage their friends to learn from the same channel as well.
It is true that during the COVID-19 pandemic, when the future of many students was uncertain, YouTube teachers served as an important source of guidance and support. Many students relied heavily on them for their education and exam preparation.
Creating and posting online study materials or educational videos is not a simple task. It requires good-quality equipment, proper camera setup, video recording, demonstrations, editing, and uploading, all of which are time-consuming. Moreover, students do not just leave "likes"; they also share their doubts and problems in the comments. Students naturally gravitate toward platforms where they feel they can understand concepts more easily and grasp topics effectively.
To maintain a successful YouTube channel, teachers must continuously learn new things, improve their skills, and create valuable content for students. They understand that posting poor-quality content or study materials serves no purpose, especially because students need accurate and reliable guidance at the right time, particularly before examinations. In today's digital era, there is intense competition, which makes the task even more challenging.
Providing high-quality educational content benefits everyone. One of the greatest advantages is that students can access and watch the videos anytime, allowing them to learn at their own pace and convenience.
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