Ludhiana bypoll: FIR lodged against online news channels for publishing opinion polls
Chandigarh (PTI): A case has been registered against some online news channels for allegedly publishing opinion polls in connection with the Ludhiana West bypoll scheduled to be held on Thursday.
The publication of the poll was allegedly carried out in violation of the guidelines issued by the Election Commission, which prohibits the publication or broadcasting of opinion polls in electronic media during the restricted period (48 hours prior to close of the poll).
The complaint was formally lodged by the Returning Officer of Ludhiana West assembly constituency, an official release said.
The publication of such a poll is viewed as an attempt to influence voter perception and election response, thereby undermining the integrity of the electoral process.
"Numerous complaints were received against online news channels like 'Turn Times, Jan Hitaishi, The City Headlines & E News Punjab' for publishing opinion polls during the restricted period," it said.
The FIR has been registered under Section 126 of the Representation of the People Act 1951 and under Section 223 of BNS 2023, the release said.
Based on the contents of the complaint, the Cyber Crime Police Station, Ludhiana, has registered the FIR under Section 126A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 and Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023 and further investigation is under process.
Polling will be held from 7:00 am till 6:00 pm on June 19 and the counting will be held on June 23.
The Ludhiana West assembly seat fell vacant following the death of AAP MLA Gurpreet Bassi Gogi in January.
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AIITA welcomes Karnataka’s ban on obscene songs in school events
Bhatkal: The Karnataka unit of the All India Ideal Teachers Association (AIITA) has welcomed the Karnataka government’s decision to strictly ban school children from dancing to obscene songs during educational and cultural programmes in government, aided, and private schools across the state.
AIITA Karnataka State President M. R. Manvi congratulated the government for taking what he termed an important step to preserve the sanctity of education.
“Such decisions to safeguard the dignity of school children and uphold the values of education are the need of the hour. This rule should not be limited to government schools alone but must be strictly implemented in all private educational institutions as well,” he said.
He further urged the government to address other concerns within school programmes.
“The government should not only prohibit obscene dances in the name of school anniversaries, but also ensure that plays and dialogues that incite religious hatred are avoided. Schools should be centres of harmony, not platforms for spreading hatred,” he added.
According to a recent circular issued by the Department of School Education and Literacy, obscene dances are adversely affecting the mental health and moral values of students.
In this regard, schools have been advised to use songs that promote nationalism, positive thinking, the greatness of Kannada culture, and value-based traditions instead of inappropriate content during programmes.
The circular also emphasises that students should be dressed in decent attire.
AIITA also backed the department’s warning that disciplinary action would be taken against head teachers if such guidelines are violated. The association has further demanded that district Deputy Directors of Public Instruction strictly monitor the implementation of these rules.
