Kota Neelima and Sangeeta Tyagi on Thursday jointly filed an intervention application in the Supreme Court in the Sudarshan TV case, to assist the court on the larger issue of “Hate Speech” by TV anchors. Neelima is a renowned author and the wife of Congress leader Pawan Khera and Sangeeta Tyagi is the wife of late Congress leader Rajiv Tyagi.
The petitioner suggested that “a committee can be constituted for the time being which will be aimed to develop norms for mandatory discussions on chosen topics that reflect the concerns in the Constitution of India in order to establish a healthy atmosphere in the country. It shall strive to develop a mechanism which will have a rating system for the TV anchors and News Debates, so as to ensure that News Debates are democratic and fair, and do not pander to divisive agenda”.
During the day, Sudarshan TV Editor-in-Chief Suresh Chavhanke and his advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain met the Minister of State for Home Affairs G. Kishan Reddy and submitted a representation, thereby requesting him to direct investigation in the affairs of foreign funding of the Zakat Foundation.
Speaking to The Daily Guardian Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain said: “In the meeting, we have briefed the minister about the foreign funds received by Zakat Foundation from Madina Trust, Muslim Aid U.K., Zakat Foundation of America. We have also briefed the Minister about the link of Zakat Foundation with international Islamic terrorist organisations.”
On 23 September, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta had informed the top court that the Centre, prima facie, finds Sudarshan TV’s “Bindas Bol” programme has violated the Programme Code and that a detailed show cause notice has been issued to the channel to explain why action be not taken against it.
The programme “Bindas Bol” is related to Muslims entering civil services which the channel had likened to “infiltration” and “jihad”.
The Supreme Court was hearing the case related to airing of a programme by Sudarshan News channel which has been in controversy.
Earlier, Editor-in-Chief of the channel, Suresh Chavhanke, had filed an additional affidavit before the Supreme Court saying that it will strictly comply with all the laws while airing the remaining episodes of the UPSC series in “Bindas Bol”.
He further stated in the affidavit that it will abide and comply by the programming code and directions of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting strictly.
Chavhanke, in his affidavit, highlighted two shows aired by another channel NDTV, one in September 2008 titled “Hindu Terror: Myth or Fact”, and another in 2010 titled “Is Saffron Threat Real?” which he submitted “pained” and “shocked” him.