I&B sees red over Red FM's insulting remarkNew Delhi: The hills of Darjeeling erupted in mob fury after an indelicate remark by a radio jockey of Red FM.
Recently-crowned Indian idol, Prashant Tamang, had been insulted — or so claimed his fans in Siliguri — as the bustling town burned. And now the Government is proposing a week-long ban on the radio channel provided the telecom tribunal upholds this
Union I&B Minister, Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi said, "A one-week ban has been issued since Monday, subject to Telecom Disputes Settlement And Appellate Tribunal upholding it on October 4.''
So, Is there politics in that decision?
The Congress is gaining ground in Siliguri and north Bengal and Dasmunsi's own constituency of Raiganj is about 100 kilometres away from the scene of violence.Besides, in the game of oneupmanship, West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee had stolen a march on the Congress by demanding a ban.
"I am looking into this and have spoken to Delhi and the Home Ministry about the matter,'' said Buddhadeb.
However, the fact of the matter is that Dasmunshi is now getting used to cracking the whip. First it was Live India channel, which was banned for a month and now the in the politics of the prude, facing the minister's ire are underwear ads and the all time whipping post — Fashion TV.
While the Broadcast Bill that will govern the media has been put on the backburner for the time being, the Centre has made its stand clear by proposing a ban on Red FM.
If the media does not regulate itself, the task will happily be taken over by the Government.
Recently-crowned Indian idol, Prashant Tamang, had been insulted — or so claimed his fans in Siliguri — as the bustling town burned. And now the Government is proposing a week-long ban on the radio channel provided the telecom tribunal upholds this
Union I&B Minister, Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi said, "A one-week ban has been issued since Monday, subject to Telecom Disputes Settlement And Appellate Tribunal upholding it on October 4.''
So, Is there politics in that decision?
The Congress is gaining ground in Siliguri and north Bengal and Dasmunsi's own constituency of Raiganj is about 100 kilometres away from the scene of violence.Besides, in the game of oneupmanship, West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee had stolen a march on the Congress by demanding a ban.
"I am looking into this and have spoken to Delhi and the Home Ministry about the matter,'' said Buddhadeb.
However, the fact of the matter is that Dasmunshi is now getting used to cracking the whip. First it was Live India channel, which was banned for a month and now the in the politics of the prude, facing the minister's ire are underwear ads and the all time whipping post — Fashion TV.While the Broadcast Bill that will govern the media has been put on the backburner for the time being, the Centre has made its stand clear by proposing a ban on Red FM.
If the media does not regulate itself, the task will happily be taken over by the Government.
