Information and Broadcasting Ministry bans Marathi channel for releasing obscene footage of BJP leader

MUMBAI: A Marathi channel has been banned from telecasting after it aired obscene footage of BJP leader Kirit Somaiya. The Lokshahi channel had to stop broadcasting for 72 hours following a notice from the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. This channel aired the footage of the BJP leader last July. Later, there was a huge protest in the Assembly demanding action against Kirit Somaiya. Then, on the complaint of Kirit Somaiya, the police registered a case against the channel.

Meanwhile, the Congress has come out against the banning of the channel. State Congress General Secretary Sachin Sawant said that this order shows that democracy is in danger. India is ranked 161 on the Press Freedom Index. He added that India would soon reach the bottom of the list.