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A petition filed in Bangladesh’s High Court has sought a ban on Indian TV channels, alleging propaganda and threats to sovereignty.
West Bengal: Security personnel stand guard during a protest by various Hindu organisations against the alleged atrocities on Hindus in Bangladesh (Photo: PTI)
A High Court in Bangladesh has received a writ petition seeking a ban on all Indian television channels in the country. According to Bangladeshi English newspaper, The Daily Star, the petition has been moved by a Supreme Court lawyer.
The petition claimed that Indian TV channels “are spreading propaganda against Bangladesh”.
It also alleged that such channels “leave an adverse impact on the friendly relationship between the two countries and a threat to the sovereignty of Bangladesh”, the report stated.
According to the report, the High Court will likely hear the case next week.
The development comes days after the arrest of Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das sparked massive protests in the country and drew condemnation from ISKCON. India has also been expressing concerns over attacks on minorities, especially Hindus, in Bangladesh.
While Bangladeshi authorities arrested Das in connection with a sedition case, New Delhi expressed hopes that the case will be dealt with in a just, fair and transparent manner.
The relations between India and Bangladesh came under strain after the interim government headed by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus came to power following the stepping down of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August.
On November 29, India said the interim government in Bangladesh must live up to its responsibility of protecting all minorities as it expressed serious concern over the “surge” of extremist rhetoric and increasing incidents of violence against Hindus.
PROTESTERS BREACH PREMISES OF BANGLADESH MISSION IN TRIPURA
On December 2, India described as “deeply regrettable” an incident of breach of the premises of the Bangladesh consulate in Agartala by a group of people protesting the arrest of Das in the neighbouring country.
The comments by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) came hours after the protesters reportedly barged into the Assistant High Commission of Bangladesh and allegedly resorted to vandalism.
The MEA said consular properties should not be targeted under any circumstances and that the government is beefing up security at the Bangladeshi missions in India.
In Agartala, thousands of people took out a massive demonstration near the Bangladeshi mission protesting the arrest of Das as well as attacks on the Hindu community in Bangladesh.
In a statement in Dhaka, the Bangladesh Foreign Ministry said it “deeply resents” the “violent demonstration and attack by a large group of protesters of the Hindu Sangharsh Samiti” on the premises of the Assistant High Commission.
The protesters were allowed to enter the premises by “breaking down the main gate”, it alleged.
