Doordarshan Agartala unit refutes Tripura CMO’s claim, says did not black out Independence Day

Sahoo said that a repeat telecast of the programme will air at 4.45 pm on Wednesday. The Chief Minsiter’s speech and the Independence Day programme were publicised in its regional news bulletins in various districts of Tripura, Sahoo claimed.

“Therefore, the allegation that Doordarshan Kenra, Agartala blacked out the Chief Minister on Independence day is totally incorrect and is vehemently refuted,” Sahoo wrote in the letter.
READ | Doordarshan, AIR blacked out my Independence Day speech, told me reshape it: Tripura CM Manik Sarkar

On Tuesday, the Tripura government alleged that the chief minister’s office was informed via letter that his speech would not be telecast unless he “reshaped it”.

The letter purportedly said, “The message of the Chief Minister was closely examined by competent authority. In view of the sanctity of the occasion, the broadcast code and responsibility of the public broadcaster it is not possible to telecast it in the present format.”

“However, Doordarshan/Prasar Bharati will be happy if the Chief Minister agrees to reshape the content making it suitable to the solemnity of the occasion and sentiment of the people,” it said.

A PTI report from Agartala quoted a statement from the Chief Minister’s Office: “The Chief Minister clearly stated that he would not change a single word and described it as unprecedented, undemocratic, autocratic and intolerant step.”

CPI-M general secretary Sitaram Yechury tweeted “Doordarshan is not the private property of the BJP or the RSS. Its refusal to broadcast Tripura CM’s speech is undemocratic and illegal.”