Writ petition in Bangladesh HC seeks ban on Indian TV channels

Dhaka: A writ petition has been filed in the Bangladesh High Court seeking a ban on all Indian TV channels, citing concerns over provocative content broadcasted by these channels. The petition, submitted by lawyer Ekhlas Uddin Bhuiyan, aims to address content that the petitioner claims undermines Bangladeshi culture and contributes to the deterioration of youth values.

Bhuiyan confirmed on Monday that a hearing may take place in front of a bench comprising Justice Fatema Najib and Justice Sikder Mahmudur Razi. The writ calls for a directive under Section 29 of the Cable Television Network Operation Act 2006 to prohibit the transmission of Indian TV channels such as Star Jalsha, Star Plus, Zee Bangla, and Republic Bangla, among others.

The petition argues that Indian channels air provocative news and unregulated content that opposes Bangladeshi cultural norms. It claims that these broadcasts are not compliant with any existing regulations and have a detrimental effect on the youth of Bangladesh.

The respondents named in the petition include the secretaries of the Information Ministry and the Home Ministry, as well as the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) and other relevant authorities.

The request for a ban comes amid heightened tension in the India-Bangladesh relationship following political developments in Bangladesh. The interim government led by Muhammad Yunus came to power after the ousting of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August, sparking concerns in India over the safety of minorities in Bangladesh. Reports have surfaced of an increase in violent attacks on the Hindu community, with members of the minority frequently documenting incidents of persecution across the country.

The diplomatic strain between the two nations deepened following the arrest of Hindu priest Chinmoy Krishna Das at Dhaka's Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on November 25. Das, who serves as the spokesperson for the Bangladesh Sammilita Sanatani Jagran Jote and a former member of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), was denied bail and imprisoned on November 26 by the Chattogram’s Sixth Metropolitan Magistrate court in a sedition case. This incident sparked violent clashes between Das’ supporters and security personnel, resulting in the death of a lawyer.

With PTI inputs