NEW DELHI: A PIL has been filed in the Delhi high court in reference to the recent episode aired by Sudarshan TV on its programme Bindas Bol around the subject of the controversial Tanishq ad. The episode was aired on 12 October on the channel and talked about how the jewellery brand’s campaign was promoting ‘love jihad’ and attacking the psychology of the Hindu community.
The petition, which has been filed by advocate Asghar Khan, sought directions to the central government to formulate guidelines to ensure that news channels do not preach communal disharmony and hate speech. It also sought a mechanism to check content and advertisements which are spreading hatred and are against the spirit of the Union of India.
The plea said it can be clearly inferred from the Tanishq advertisement that its purpose was to showcase the spirit of unity and brotherhood amongst two religious groups.
"However, Sudharsahan TV in its 8 pm show ‘Bindas Bol’ dated 12.10.2020 made their best attempts to incite hatred amongst above said religious groups…editor-in-chief of Sudarshan News and anchor of the show Suresh Chavhanke mentioned that love jihad is now being promoted by the way of advertisements and to quote him he said ‘advertisement jihad’.. an insidious attempt has been made to insinuate that the community is involved in a planned conspiracy to infiltrate the advertisement agency,” the petition reads.
It stated that the central government and other authorities have, from time to time, issued directions and advisories to all private satellite TV channels, asking them to refrain from broadcasting content that may incite violence, threaten national integrity and violate the programme code.
#विज्ञापन_जिहाद बेनकाब. लव जिहाद को कैसे बढ़ावा दे रहे हैं @TanishqJewelry जैसे ब्रांड ? हिंदुओं पर कैसे मनोवैज्ञानिक प्रहार कर रहीं नामी कम्पनियां ? जनता की #BoycottTanishq की मुहिम के बीच #BindasBol #Vigyapan_jihad @RNTata2000 @TataCompanies https://t.co/lijZ0EB5F7
— Suresh Chavhanke “Sudarshan News” (@SureshChavhanke) October 12, 2020
However, Sudarshan TV has not followed any of these advisories and has come up with broadcasts and printed blogs that target the sentiments of a particular community, the petitioner states. This isn’t the first instance of litigation against the channel. It is currently in the dock for its programme 'UPSC Jihad' over complaints that it violated the program code by communalising the entry of Muslims into the civil services.
The plea further urged to ensure that the media houses report only true facts and not opinions and be responsible for what they are publishing.
The plea sought direction to the authorities to form guidelines to include restrictions as envisaged under Article 19 of the Constitution and orders of the Supreme Court to ensure that media does not abuse the freedom of speech and expression.
It has also prayed for imposition of "gag order" restraining the orators or authors of hate or derogatory speeches made on the lines of religion from addressing the public anywhere within the country till the disposal of the criminal proceeding initiated against them.