TV news channels must “refrain” from giving platform to persons facing “charges of serious crimes, including terrorism” and those belonging to banned organisations, the ministry of information and broadcasting stated in an advisory for private satellite TV channels. 

The advisory came a day after Gurpatwant Singh Pannu, declared an “individual terrorist” by the Indian government in 2020, made an appearance on an ABP News show hosted by Jagwinder Patiyal. A known advocate of Khalistan, Pannu was described as the “most wanted terrorist” on the show. He has at least 22 cases registered against him, including that of terrorism, and heads the banned organisation, Sikhs for Justice.   

Without mentioning the show, the advisory said a person charged with terrorism was invited for a discussion on a TV channel and made comments “detrimental” to India, its security and “friendly relations” with a foreign state. It said such remarks also had the “potential of disturbing public order”. 

The advisory was issued under Section 20 of the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act. It follows a strain in India-Canada ties after Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau cited “credible intelligence” to allege the role of the Indian government’s agents in the murder of Khalistan Tiger Force chief Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June this year.

Trudeau’s “explosive” allegations, however, have met with a sharp criticism by Canadian media, that has emphasised on the need to furnish evidence to back the claims. Read here.

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