Writ seeks ban on Indian TV channels in Bangladesh
The petition also requests the issuance of a rule to determine why an official directive should not be enacted to stop such broadcasts
A writ petition has been filed in the High Court seeking the suspension of broadcasts of all Indian television channels within Bangladesh.
Supreme Court lawyer Syeda Shahin Ara submitted the petition yesterday (2 December), naming the information secretary, home secretary, and the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) as respondents, said lawyer Ekhlas Uddin Bhuiyan today (3 December).
He said the bench of Justice Fatema Najib and Justice Sikder Mahmudur Razi is expected to hear the matter this week.
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The motion, grounded in Sections 19 and 20 of the Cable Television Network Operation Act 2006, urged the High Court to impose a complete ban on Indian TV channels' broadcasts in the country.
It further requested the issuance of a rule to determine why an official directive should not be enacted to stop such broadcasts.
Section 19 of the Cable Television Network Operation Act says any programme that contradicts the integrity, independence, sovereignty, or the spirit and ideals of the country's Liberation War of 1971 is prohibited from broadcasting in Bangladesh.
It also mentions any programme that contradicts the fundamental principles of governance and national policy and contains violence, terrorism, hatred, or crime is prohibited.
Any programme that contradicts the history, heritage, education, culture, social and religious values, national unity, or the national image of Bangladesh is also on the list, as well as programmes that are harmful to national security or public interest.
The act says any programme that could hurt any community or group's emotions or violates the Censorship of Films Act 1963, or its related regulations or policies is also prohibited from broadcasting in Bangladesh.
Lawyer Ekhlas said several Indian TV channels are currently violating various sub-sections of the law and that is why the petition has been filed to halt their broadcasts.
Section 20 says the government can prohibit the operation of any cable television network, either partially or entirely, at any time and place in the public interest.
