Bangladeshi Lawyer Files Petition to Ban Indian TV Channels

A Bangladeshi lawyer, Ekhlas Uddin Bhuiyan, has filed a writ petition in the Bangladesh High Court (HC) seeking a ban on Indian television channels in the country. The petition, filed on December 2, cites concerns over the impact of Indian media on Bangladeshi society and culture.

What Does the Petition Demand?

The petition calls for a ban on all Indian TV channels, including popular ones like Republic Bangla, Star Jalsha, Star Plus, and Zee Bangla. It alleges that:

• Provocative news aired on these channels negatively influences Bangladeshi youth.
• Unregulated broadcasts oppose Bangladeshi cultural values.
• These channels operate without adhering to local regulations under the Cable Television Network Operation Act, of 2006.

The Information Ministry, Home Ministry, Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC), and others have been named as respondents.

Hearing Details

The High Court bench, comprising Justices Fatema Najib and Sikder Mahmudur Razi, is expected to hear the case soon. The petition also seeks an official rule instructing the ban and further legal action.

Rising Concerns Over Violence Against Minorities

The petition comes amid growing concerns over violence against minority communities in Bangladesh. Reports highlight:

• Temples destroyed following the arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das, a former priest, on sedition charges.
• Claims of a saffron flag being raised above Bangladesh's national flag in Chittagong on October 25.
• Clashes on November 27 in the Chattogram Court Building area, where a lawyer was killed during a confrontation between police and alleged followers of Das.

India has raised concerns about these incidents and urged Bangladesh's interim government to take measures to protect minority communities.

 The Broader Implications

The petition highlights tensions between Indian media influence and Bangladeshi cultural preservation. The outcome of this case may have significant implications for media regulation and cross-border relations in the region.

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