On September 9, Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP) filed a complaint against the broadcaster Times Now Navbharat for airing a segment on September 2, 2024, titled “Desh Ka Mood Meter: सनातन संस्कृति..कट्टरपंथियों के लिए सॉफ्ट टारगेट? | CM Himanta Biswa Sarma News”. The complaint stems from the show’s allegedly inflammatory and biased reporting on the recent arrest of Altaf Hussain, a Bengali-speaking Muslim singer from Assam, and the subsequent portrayal of Assam’s Bengali Muslim community, often referred to as “Miyas.”
The complaint brings out the background of the issue of contention in the show. The complaint states that on August 31, singer Altaf Hussain was arrested in Assam after a complaint was lodged against him for allegedly inciting hatred against ethnic communities through a protest song he had released. The song, in Bengali, drew attention to the discrimination faced by the “Miyas.” According to Hussain’s lawyer, Adam Ali, his client was charged under Sections 196 and 299 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, relating to promoting enmity between groups and insulting religious feelings.
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It is further stated in the complaint that the said arrest of the singer gained traction when Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma commented on the incident during a Facebook live session. CM Sarma labelled the song as an attack on Assamese culture and accused Hussain of attempting to change the traditional Bihu festival into “Miya Bihu.” These statements were picked up by various media outlets, including Times Now Navbharat, which aired the controversial segment.
The complaint then brings in focus the inflammatory rhetoric and biased reporting that took place during the show. The segment in question, hosted by anchor Ranjit Kumar, opened with a series of provocative questions, asking whether Hindu festivals were being deliberately targeted by “extremists” from Assam to Kerala. The tone and language used throughout the show, including terms like “Jihadi syndicate” and accusations of a “communal conspiracy” against Hindu culture, set the stage for a divisive narrative.
According to the complaint filed by CJP, the program unfairly singled out the Muslim community, specifically Bengali Muslims, by portraying them as a threat to Hindu culture. The complaint argues that the show sensationalised the arrest of Altaf Hussain, using it as a springboard to incite fear and suspicion against Muslims, framing them as adversaries in a cultural war.
CJP’s complaint accuses Times Now Navbharat of violating journalistic ethics and promoting communal hatred. The key points raised in the complaint include:
- Usage of inflammatory language: The use of terms like “Jihadi syndicate” and references to a “communal conspiracy” were highlighted as particularly problematic. CJP argues that such language fuels communal tensions and portrays Muslims as a monolithic group working against Hindus, which is factually incorrect and dangerous in a diverse society like India.
- Sensationalism for TRPs: The program is alleged of sensationalising isolated incidents, such as Altaf Hussain’s arrest, to create a narrative of Muslims attacking Hindu culture. The complaint stresses that this is an attempt to misrepresent individual acts as part of a larger communal agenda, leading to increased distrust and animosity between communities.
- Violation of NBDSA guidelines: CJP pointed out that the segment violates the News Broadcasting Digital and Standards Authority (NBDSA) guidelines, which prohibit hate speech and content that incites violence or promotes public disorder. By promoting feelings of enmity based on religion, the complaint alleged that the show was in clear violation of the NBDSA’s code of ethics.
- Dehumanisation of the Muslim Community: The repeated portrayal of Bengali Muslims as “illegal immigrants” and a threat to Hindu culture was another key concern that was brought forth from the show. In the complaint, CJP argued that such reporting dehumanises the Muslim community, contributing to their marginalisation and making them vulnerable to discrimination and violence.
Through the complaint, CJP had also underscored the broader issue of communal bias in media reporting, which they have argued is becoming increasingly prevalent in Indian news channels. The organisation stresses that biased reporting not only violates journalistic ethics but also has real-world consequences, as it exacerbates existing tensions and can lead to violence.
The complainant has called for the Times Now Navbharat to take responsibility for the grievances raised and act upon them by ensuring more balanced and sensitive reporting in the future. The organisation has also requested that the broadcaster remove the inflammatory segment from its social media platforms, including YouTube and Twitter, where it continues to be accessible.
The complete complaint may be accessed here:
Image Courtesy: youtube.com
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