Updated: September 23, 2020 8:15:22 pm
The Supreme Court had strongly objected to the content of the ‘Bindas Bol’ program, noting that “a particular community cannot be attacked” in the name of investigative journalism and that “the country cannot survive with that agenda.”
The Center told the Supreme Court on Wednesday that it had delivered an exhibition notice to Sudarshan TV about its “UPSC Jihad” program that claims to expose a “conspiracy to infiltrate Muslims into government service.” The Center said the show prima facie violated the show’s code and Sudarshan TV was asked to submit a response by September 28.
“The notice is detailed, it provides facts that go against the program code,” the Center told the superior court. The next hearing on the matter is scheduled for October 5.
During the brief hearing, Attorney General Tushar Mehta said the four-page notice to the channel sought an explanation on various points related to the program’s code violation and why no action should be taken against it. The detailed notice under the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act of 1995 was issued today, showing facts that, according to the government, are prima facie not in accordance with the program code, he said.
On September 15, the court of judges DY Chandrachud, Indu Malhotra and KM Joseph suspended the television broadcast of the remaining episodes of the Sudarshan TV program “UPSC Jihad”, saying “prima facie, it seems … the object, The intention and purpose of the program is to vilify the Muslim community. ”The channel’s editor-in-chief, Suresh Chavhanke, has urged the court to lift the suspension.
The court had said that Some images from the show were “hurtful” and “offensive.” and tried to know what changes he would make to ease the worries.
In response to this, Chavhanke submitted an additional affidavit stating that “Strictly comply with all laws while the remaining episodes air”, and “abide by and comply with the programming code and instructions” of the I&B Ministry.
On Monday, the Center had filed an affidavit in the superior court, urging it not to broaden the scope of the matter by setting more guidelines for print and electronic media, as they are already regulated.
The Center’s response came after the high court vigorously objected to the content of Sudarshan’s television show ‘Bindas Bol’, noting that “a particular community cannot be targeted” in the name of investigative journalism and that “the country it cannot survive with such an agenda. “
Also from Ideas explained: why it is difficult to regulate the Sudarshan TV program
Referring to the allegations in the petition, Judge Chandrachud had said that the show shows flames in the background of a clip that shows speeches and characters with hats, beards and green T-shirts.
“They wonder why the IAS and the IPS Association do not act when (AIMIM MP Asaduddin) Owaisi asks Muslims to join the civil service and flames are shown in the background… there are comments like haramkhor…. Graphics are shown about a growing number of Muslims in the civil service and there are pictorial representations, ”Judge Chandrachud observed.
Judge Malhotra said she also felt the flames in the background and the green jerseys were “offensive” and “removable.” “Some of these photographs hurt us a lot. So they should be dismantled, ”Judge Malhotra said.
Judge Joseph said that in one episode, a member of the audience is interviewed and he says that Muslims are receiving reservation from OBC and should not receive more. “What message are you sending? The bottom line is that you are smearing an entire community.”
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