Central Govt Allows Sudarshan TV To Broadcast "Bindass Bol" Show, Directs To 'Ensure That The Show Does Nor Violate Programme Codes"[Read Order]

As the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting gave a green signal to the news channel, the show, allegedly about 'Muslim infiltration' in civil services,

The Ministry took note of the channel's submission that the show does not violate any law and that if at all any of its content is found to be e violative, action as per law may be taken. It thus granted permission with a caution as under:

"Having regard to the aforementioned facts and circumstances of the case, Sudarshan TV channel is hereby directed to ensure that the programme proposed to be telecast does not violate any of the programme codes. If any violation of the programme code is found, action as per law will be taken."

On August 28, the Delhi High Court stayed the broadcast of 'Bindass Bol' show, after a petitioner submitted that its trailer openly engages in hate speech and defamation against students of Jamia Milia Islamia and the Muslim community.

Delhi HC Stays Broadcast Of Sudarshan TV's Show Communalising UPSC Recruitment Of Muslims

The petitioners had submitted the show claims that the success of Jamia Milia Islamia students in the Civil Services examination 2020 represents a "conspiracy to infiltrate the civil service by Muslims".

Subsequently, the High Court disposed of the petition with a direction to the Central Government, which had already issued notice to the channel, to finally decide on matter within 48 hours of the receipt of the response from the news channel.

In its representation before the Ministry, the news channel refuted the attempted pre-censorship. It submitted:

"The Ministry has sought clarification about the programme which is planned to be run at a later time. The channel has requested for being informed as to whether there is any practice in the Ministry for seeking explanation prior to the running of a programme. It is further submitted that according to the channel it is its right to telecast a programme and if the said programme is found to be violative of law then action may be taken; however, prior to the running of the programme the script may not be asked for."

It was contended that the Ministry's Notice was an attempt to do pre-censorship of a TV programme which is unprecedented and violative of the constitutional rights of the TV channel.

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