A writ petition has been filed in the Bangladesh High Court, seeking a ban on the broadcast of Indian TV channels in the country. The petition, filed by lawyer Ekhlas Uddin Bhuiyan, raises concerns about the impact of Indian media on Bangladeshi culture and society.
The petition requests the court to issue a directive under the Cable Television Network Operation Act of 2006 to prohibit Indian TV channels from being aired in Bangladesh. It also seeks to know why a rule should not be issued for this purpose. The hearing may take place before the High Court bench comprising Justice Fatema Najib and Justice Sikder Mahmudur Razi.
The petition names the secretaries of the Information Ministry and Home Ministry, the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC), and other relevant authorities as respondents. Channels like Star Jalsha, Star Plus, Zee Bangla, Republic Bangla, and other Indian TV networks are specifically mentioned in the petition, which claims that provocative news and content that undermines Bangladeshi culture are being broadcast. The petition argues that such content is contributing to the destruction of youth values and operates without proper regulation.
The call for a ban comes amidst growing concerns in Bangladesh about the rise in violent attacks against minority communities, especially Hindus. In the aftermath of the arrest of former priest Chinmoy Krishna Das over sedition charges and the hoisting of a saffron flag in Chittagong, there has been an escalation in violence, including attacks on temples. Tensions further heightened following clashes in Chattogram between police and alleged followers of Das in late November.
India has expressed concern over these developments. At a recent media briefing, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal voiced worries about the rise of extremist rhetoric and increasing incidents of violence in Bangladesh. India has urged the Bangladeshi government to take stronger actions to protect minorities and ensure their safety.
Concerns about the influence of Indian media have been growing amid a surge in violence and unrest in Bangladesh, especially targeting religious minorities. There has been a significant rise in attacks on Hindus and other minority groups, particularly following the arrest of former priest Chinmoy Krishna Das in late October. Das was charged with sedition for allegedly hoisting a saffron flag above the national flag in Chittagong. This incident triggered an escalation in violence, with attacks on temples and clashes between police and Das' followers, resulting in the killing of a lawyer in late November.
Against this backdrop, the petition claims that Indian TV channels have been broadcasting content that fuels further unrest, deepening divisions within Bangladesh. The petitioners argue that these broadcasts not only threaten the country’s cultural integrity but also jeopardize its security and national unity.
The rising violence has prompted India to raise its concerns over the situation in Bangladesh. Last week, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal expressed alarm over the worsening violence against minorities and the growing influence of extremist rhetoric. India has called on Bangladeshi authorities to take immediate action to protect religious minorities, emphasizing that these developments should not be dismissed as mere media exaggerations.
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