HC refuses to stay ban on serial 'Ram Siya ke Luv Kush' in Punjab, producers offer to delete scenes
Chandigarh: The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Monday refused to stay a ban on airing of television series 'Ram Siya ke Luv Kush' in Punjab. The ban on the telecast of the controversial series stays for the time being, with the court adjourning the matter to September 12, according to an official release by the state government.
During a special hearing on a petition by Colors TV channel, Justice TS Dhindsa declined to grant a stay on the orders passed by the various district commissioners, in their capacity as district magistrates.
Arguing on behalf of the state government, Additional Advocate General Rameeza Hakeem said the decision to ban the telecast of the serial had been taken on the grounds that it has hurt the religious sentiments of the Valmiki community in the state by "portraying Valmiki ji in a negative light".
During the hearing, Colors TV contended that the ban orders had been passed without adhering to the principles of natural justice, and without the ingredients of Section 19 of the Cable Operators Regulation Act, as per the release.
The channel also placed on record an offer from the producers of the serial to enter a dialogue with the Secretary (Home) to discuss the issue and offered to delete any objectionable scenes.
The court called upon the Additional Advocate General to take instructions in the matter, especially on the offer made by the producers to delete the scenes in question.
Hakeem later said the offer would be considered by the state government, whose response would be submitted before the court on the next date of hearing.
On Saturday, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh had directed an immediate ban by the respective DCs on the telecast of the serial following protests by members of the Valmiki community who had called for a bandh on the same day.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Telangana CM urges Amit Shah to increase sanctioned strength of IPS officers in state
Hyderabad (PTI): Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi on Wednesday night and urged him to increase the sanctioned strength of IPS officers to the state in view of its growing administrative and security needs.
The two leaders also discussed the recent surrender of several senior Maoist leaders before the Telangana Police and other issues.
"During the meeting, the two leaders discussed the issue of Maoist surrenders and their rehabilitation. The chief minister informed Shah that significant improvements in policing have taken place in Telangana over the past two years," an official release here said.
Highlighting that 591 Maoists have laid down their arms and joined the mainstream of society during this period, the chief minister said the state government was providing them compensation and rehabilitation assistance as per the rules.
He requested the Union home minister to extend financial support from the central government for development works in the backward regions of the state.
Reddy also urged Shah to increase the sanctioned strength of IPS officers to the state from 83 to 105 in line with the state's growing administrative and security needs, the statement said.
The first cadre review after the formation of Telangana was conducted in 2016, while the next review, due in 2021, was delayed and finally carried out in 2025. Even then, only seven additional IPS officers were allocated to the state, the chief minister informed Shah and requested that the third cadre review be conducted in 2026 as per the schedule.
Reddy explained that Telangana, like the rest of the country, is facing several modern challenges, including cybercrime, drug trafficking, white-collar crimes, and other emerging security threats.
He highlighted the reorganisation of the Hyderabad, Cyberabad, and Malkajgiri Police Commissionerates, the proposed formation of the Future City Commissionerate and the rapidly growing population in Hyderabad to underline the increasing administrative requirements of the state.
