Central Govt permits Sudarshan TV from airing ‘UPSC Jihad’ serial

• The Government suggested changes in the programme while presenting its role in the Supreme Court
• The Supreme Court will take the final decision on the broadcast

New Delhi – The BJP Government at the Center has submitted before the Supreme Court that the Government has permitted a private news channel Sudarshan TV to air ‘UPSC Jihad’ in its weekly programme called ‘Bindas Bol’, with some changes. The apex court had granted a stay on airing the programme and asked the Central Government to submit its say.  Accordingly, the Government has made its statement. The show cannot still be aired pending the final decision of the Supreme Court.

#SupremeCourt took note of Centre's affidavit in which it has found that #SudarshanTV, through four episodes of its "Bindas Bol" programme on alleged 'UPSCjihad', breached the programme codehttps://t.co/hq8n3HZn6W

— Firstpost (@firstpost) November 19, 2020

1. According to the information given to the Court by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting of the Central Government, ‘UPSCjihad’ programme, which portrays the Muslim community as being ‘infiltrating into Government services’ was not in the right context and is likely to encourage social divisions. This channel needs to be vigilant about this.

2. Earlier, the channel was issued a ‘show cause’ notice for violating the norms in the channel’s programmes. The Court directed the Ministry to handle the ‘show cause’ notice within the framework of the law and inform the Court of its findings.

As per Central Govt rules, programmes which are religiously insulting cannot be aired

According to the directions issued by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting’s under Cable Television Network Rules, 1994, no programme that targets a particular religion or community or uses words that insult or promote religious views towards religious groups can be aired.

What is the case ?

A video having the meaning ‘special programme on how Muslims have‘ infiltrated ’Government jobs and how is the Government’s‘ Jihad in bureaucracy’ is going on ?’ was aired by Sudarshan TV. After that ‘UPSC. A petition was filed in the Supreme Court against this programme, saying the programme is anti-Muslim and shows false news to target them. The petition alleges that the programme calls it is a “conspiracy of infiltration” for Muslims to appear in the UPSC competitive examinations. Many gazetted and IPS officers in the administrative service protested against Suresh Chavanke, editor-in-chief of Sudarshan TV. The Indian Police Foundation had demanded that the News Broadcasting Standards Authority should take stern action against Suresh Chavanke.