HC refuses to stay ban on telecast of ‘Ram Siya Ke Luv-Kush’

Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, September 9

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The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Monday refused to stay the ban on cable telecast of television series “Ram Siya ke Luv-Kush”, imposed by Deputy Commissioners  across Punjab on Saturday on the directives of Chief Minister Capt 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.

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, 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.

On Saturday, Capt 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.