Chandigarh, September 9, 2019 (Yes Punjab News)
The High Court of Punjab and Haryana on Monday refused to stay the ban on cable telecast of the television series “Ram Siya ke Luv Kush”, imposed by DCs across Punjab on Saturday on the directives of Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh.
In view of the same, the ban on the telecast of the controversial serial stays for the time being, with the court adjourning the matter for September 12, 2019.
During a special hearing fixed on a petition by Colors TV channel, Justice TS Dhindsa declined to grant stay of orders passed by the various District Commissioners, in their capacity as District Magistrates.
Arguing the case on behalf of the Punjab Government, Additional Advocate General Rameeza Hakeem said the decision to ban the telecast of the serial had been taken on the ground that Valmiki ji had been portrayed in a negative light, hurting the religious and other sentiments of the Valmiki community in the state.
During the hearing, which went beyond 5 p.m., Colors TV contended that the ban orders had been passed without adhering to the principles of natural justice, and without the ingredients of Section 19 of the Cable Operators Regulation Act.
The channel also placed on record an offer from the producers of the serial to enter a dialogue with the Secretary Home to discuss the contentious scenes. They offered to delete the scenes that portrayed Valmiki ji in objectionable light.
The Court called upon the Additional Advocate General to take instructions in the matter, especially on the offer made by the producers to delete the scenes in question. Rameeza later said the offer would be considered by the state government, whose response would be submitted before the court on the next date of hearing.
It may be recalled that on Saturday, Captain Amarinder Singh had ordered immediate ban by the respective DCs on the telecast of the controversial TV serial ‘Ram-Siya Ke Luv-Kush’, which has sparked protests among the Valmiki community, which had called a protest bandh the same day.
Endorsing the religious sentiments of the Valmiki community on the issue, the Chief Minister had also written to the Government of India to instruct the direct to home channels to stop telecast of the serial.
