Sikh bodies justify ban on KTV in UK for 'instigating' violence

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, June 23

The revocation of “Khalsa Television” (KTV) in the UK earlier this week on the allegations of breaching broadcast norms by propagating Khalistan with content likely to “encourage or incite the commission of a crime or lead to disorder”, has stirred a debate.

Sikh leaders believed that the action on KTV was justified if its contents incited violence.

Former Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (DSGMC) chief Manjit Singh GK said, “If the fallout on KTV is the outcome of instigating violence, then the action by the British broadcast regulatory authorities is correct. I was physically assaulted in New York and Yuba cites during my visits as DSGMC president in August 2018, in which the overseas elements were behind it. I had pleaded in the New York court and got justice.”

Gurpreet Singh, director, United Sikhs, said, “The UK regulatory authorities might have observed some objectionable content by the KTV that it had to go to the extent of banning it,” he said.

Chief Khalsa Diwan’s president Dr Inderbir Singh Nijjar said, “If the KTV propagated violence, then the UK authorities’ decision is justified. I believe that the management should have been warned primarily rather than shutting it down because it catered to a wider audience overseas.”

Dal Khalsa leader Kanwarpal Singh Bittu whose twitter and facebook account were disabled for posting the pictures of Akal Takht sponsored programmes honouring the kin of militants said, “Propagation of Khalistan in a peaceful manner was justified as we do by conducting peaceful protests, but we never approve any violence,” he said.

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