Indian television channel Colors TV has been issued a notice by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. The notice is against the show Ram Siya Ke Luv Kush for “spreading distorted religious information.”
Now, Viacom18 has issued a statement in an attempt to clear the air.
“Ramayana’s story encompasses Indian values. Ram Siya Ke Luv Kush is an attempt to see this epic through a lens that hasn’t been explored before. That way, it would be made topical in today’s day and age. The show draws from texts, books and scriptures based on Ramayana and it is not our intention to hurt sentiments of any particular group,” said Viacom. They also added that the channel is working closely with the group and taking their feedback on board.
In a letter dated 11 September, the ministry states that the show harms religious sentiments, specially regarding the portrayal of ‘Maharishi Valmiki’ which, the letter claims, it hurting religious sentiments. According to the letter, in Ram Siya Ke Luv Kush, Lord Ram meets his children Luv and Kush at Maharishi Valmiki Ashram, which is untrue as Lord Ram actually met Luv and Kush at Ashwamedha Yagna.
The statement reads, “These fictions hurt the religious sentiments of Hindus and our children question as to whether what they read is correct and what they are watching now is correct.”
The notice further asks Colors TV to show cause within 15 days of the receipt of the notice.
The statement also accuses the show of being “likely to incite violence” and of portraying “slandering attitude towards a religious group and particular community.”
“The words used to describe Maharishi Valmiki of the particular sect appear to show him in poor and demeaning light with a view to maligning and defaming him.”
The notice further asks Colors TV to show cause within 15 days of the receipt of the notice. If the channel fails to defend itself within that time period, then the government will go ahead and take actions against the violation of rules set in the Constitution of India.
Ram Siya Ke Luv Kush airs on the channel at 8.30 pm on all weekdays.
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