Google suspends Vartha Bharati's YouTube channel over R-Day Program streaming
The official YouTube Channel of Vartha Bharati ( youtube.com/varthabharatinews ) was on Thursday suspended by the video sharing platform over a copyright strike that came on a Government of India programme.
Vartha Bharati is a prominent Kannada language daily newspaper from Karnataka running in its 20th year. Vartha Bharati's YouTube channel has gained wide popularity in recent years for its unique news and views video programmes.
The account was suspended and was barred from uploading or live streaming any material on the channel for next seven days due to the strike.
This was reported after the channel live streamed the Republic day event held on Thursday at Kartavya Path, Delhi taken from Prime Minister's live streaming, which is generally used by media channels.
Vartha Bharati's appeal against the strike and sanctions was also turned down by Google.
In its appeal, Vartha Bharati mentioned that the event was being streamed using a government feed which was generally used by media houses.
This is a regular practice that media houses use feeds from government channels to give live streaming of important national festivals and celebrations. Even on Thursday, many YouTube channels of various regional languages have used government feed to live stream the Republic Day Parade at Delhi. Google however turned down the Vartha Bharati's appeal and has upheld the suspension and sanctions.
Vartha Bharati's YouTube channel has over 2.1 lakh subscribers and is among the prominent Kannada news and views channels on YouTube.
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Waqf Bill anti-secular, will snatch rights of Muslims: Mamata Banerjee
Kolkata (PTI): West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday described the Waqf (Amendment) Bill as “anti-secular”, claiming that it would snatch the rights of Muslims.
Banerjee, speaking in the assembly, also said the Centre did not consult with states over the matter.
“The bill is anti-federal and anti-secular; it is a deliberate attempt to malign a particular section. It will snatch the rights of Muslims... The Centre did not consult with us on the Waqf Bill,” she said.
The chief minister added that “if any religion was attacked”, she would wholeheartedly condemn it.
Opposition parties have stridently criticised the amendments proposed by the bill in the existing Waqf Act, alleging that they violate the religious rights of Muslims.
The ruling BJP has asserted that the amendments will bring transparency in the functioning of the Waqf boards and make them accountable.
A parliamentary committee has been constituted to scrutinise the contentious bill.
