Dhaka [Bangladesh], December 3: A writ petition has been filed in the Bangladesh High Court seeking a ban on Indian TV channels, citing concerns over their impact on Bangladeshi culture and society. The petition, filed by lawyer Ekhlas Uddin Bhuiyan on Monday, urges the court to issue a directive under the Cable Television Network Operation Act 2006 to prohibit Indian channels. The petition specifically calls for a ban on channels such as Star Jalsha, Star Plus, Zee Bangla, and Republic Bangla, alleging that provocative content and unregulated broadcasts are harming Bangladeshi culture and the youth.
The hearing will be held before a bench comprising Justice Fatema Najib and Justice Sikder Mahmudur Razi.
The Information Ministry, Home Ministry, and the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) have been named as respondents in the petition. The petition also comes amidst rising violence against minority communities in Bangladesh, including attacks on Hindu temples and clashes involving the arrest of former priest Chinmoy Krishna Das. India has expressed concerns over the increasing violence and the protection of minorities in Bangladesh.