New Delhi: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed shock on Saturday relating to what she termed as “saffronisation” of the Doordarshan brand following the change of its color to orange by the government-owned broadcaster Prasar Bharati.
The Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo described the transfer as “completely unethical” and “grossly unlawful”, notably throughout the ongoing Lok Sabha elections.
Taking to X, she wrote, “I’m shocked on the sudden saffronisation and alter of color of our Doordarshan brand when the nationwide elections are happening throughout the nation! It’s completely unethical, grossly unlawful, and speaks loudly of the pro-BJP bias of the nationwide public broadcaster!”
I’m shocked on the sudden saffronisation and alter of color of our Doordarshan brand when the nationwide elections are happening throughout the nation! It’s completely unethical, grossly unlawful, and speaks loudly of the pro-BJP bias of the nationwide public broadcaster!
How… pic.twitter.com/3JnfDhR3Ca
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) April 20, 2024
Banerjee additionally raised questions concerning the Election Fee of India’s determination to permit such a “crude, pro-Saffron violation of the Mannequin Code of Conduct” throughout the electoral course of. She urged the ballot physique to promptly reverse the change and restore the unique blue color of the emblem.
“How might the Election Fee of India permit this crude, pro-Saffron violation of the Mannequin Code of Conduct when the persons are within the electoral mode?! ECI should instantly cease it and reverse the change to return to the unique blue color of the emblem of Doordarshan!” she added.
Former CEO of Prasar Bharati and Trinamool Congress MP, Jawhar Sircar, additionally expressed his disapproval, lamenting the “saffronisation” of the emblem and termed it as a political transfer.
Taking to X, he wrote, “As ex CEO of Prasar Bharati it hurts to see the saffronisation of Doordarshan’s brand — simply earlier than elections! It should affect voters, by overlaying the color one faith and Sangh parivar color with a ‘impartial’ Public Broadcaster and a biassed Govt/Regime.”
As ex CEO of Prasar Bharati it hurts to see the saffronisation of Doordarshan’s brand
— simply earlier than elections!
It should affect voters, by overlaying the color one faith and Sangh parivar color with a ‘impartial’ Public Broadcaster and a biassed Govt/Regime! pic.twitter.com/g7m0PH9nMf
— Jawhar Sircar (@jawharsircar) April 20, 2024
Nevertheless, Amit Malviya, the top of BJP’s IT cell, dismissed Banerjee’s allegation, stating that the saffron brand had been “examined manner again in 1982” and represents a “homecoming” for the nationwide broadcaster.
“Thanks for not abusing. Your language off late has been crass and disgusting. The prospect of dropping election is displaying. On Doordarshan’s saffron color – it was examined manner again in 1982. So, don’t be shocked and discover out who modified it to blue. That is nothing however dwelling coming for the nationwide broadcaster,” Malviya posted on X.
Thanks for not abusing. Your language off late has been crass and disgusting. The prospect of dropping election is displaying.
On Doordarshan’s saffron color – it was examined manner again in 1982. So, don’t be shocked and discover out who modified it to blue.
That is nothing however dwelling coming… pic.twitter.com/UzfBsrkigo
— Amit Malviya (मोदी का परिवार) (@amitmalviya) April 20, 2024
Gaurav Dwivedi, CEO of Prasar Bharati, additionally defended the rebranding, highlighting the aesthetic attraction of the brand new orange color as an replace to the channel’s visible id.