On Saturday, a section of Twitter trended the hashtag #BoycottAmul after Sudarshan News, sponsored by Amul, aired a show called UPSC Jihad.
A program in Sudarshan News was being aired hosted by its editor-in-chief Suresh Chavhanke which claimed to expose a conspiracy where an increasing number of Muslim candidates were clearing the civil service examination. It said, “big expose on conspiracy to infiltrate Muslims in government service”. This provoked people to trend #SuspendSureshChavhanke on Twitter. Many senior civil servants condemned the channel.
Within hours, a petition was filed by former students of Jamia Milia Islamia University which it proposed that the show is intended to defame, attack, and incite violence against the university and its alumni. The Delhi High Court passed an interim order to stay the show from being broadcast.
The channel has been asked to respond to the notice of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. The notice seeks much clarification of the show. Even the Delhi High court has issued notices seeking a reply from the Central government, the channel Sudarshan TV and the editor-in-chief Suresh Chavhanke. The petition has been listed for hearing on September 7th. Chavhanke later went ahead with the show despite the court orders.
What Is The Amul Connection?
On Saturday afternoon, according to a report in Newslaundry, it was revealed that the problematic show was being sponsored by Amul, the Uttar Pradesh government, Rajvaidya Hempushpa, and Sacchi Saheli. This triggered massive outrage against the brands for their support of ‘Islamaphobic’ content. Another section has gone a step ahead and has criticized the brand ambassadors, Vidya Balan and Raveena Tandon.
Despite the outrage on social media and digital media, there have been no official statements from the Amul company.
Source: Free Press Journal
