Hindi News Channels fined for calling Shraddha Walkar’s murder a ‘Love Jihad’ Case

‘News 18 India’ and ‘Times Now Navbharat’ fined Rs 50,000 and Rs 1,00,000 respectively

New Delhi – ‘News Broadcasting and Digital Standards Authority (NBDSA) took action against the Hindi news channels, News 18 India and Times Now Navbharat for describing the Shraddha Walkar murder as a ‘Love Jihad’ case. A fine of Rs 50,000 and Rs 1,00,000 respectively was imposed on these news channels while ordering them to withdraw all Online uploads in this regard within seven days. Shraddha Walkar was in a live-in relationship with a Muslim man named Aftab, who killed her, chopped her body into 35 pieces and threw them in a nearby forest.

Hindi news channels ‘News 18 India’ and ‘Times Now’ scrutinized for calling Shraddha Walker’s murder, a case of ‘Love J!h@d’.

— The news regulatory body NBDSA, imposed a fine of Rs.50 thousand and Rs.1 lakh respectively.

👉 Ironically, in the world’s largest democracy, it is… pic.twitter.com/lJ0KNIXgGY

— Sanatan Prabhat (@SanatanPrabhat) March 1, 2024

News 18 India had reported this as a ‘Love Jihad’ case in its three telecasts. Among them, 2 telecasts were hosted by Mr Aman Chopra while one was presented by Mr Amish Devgan. The Times Now Navbharat telecast was hosted by Mr Himanshu Dixit. It was accused that these presenters tried to portray the case as a communal issue. NBDSA is an independent body set up by the News Broadcasters and Digital Association. It was created to consider and adjudicate complaints about broadcasts. NBDSA’s present Chairperson, Justice (Retd.) AK Sikri, a former Justice of the Supreme Court, said that it was wrong to call every inter-religious marriage a case of ‘Love Jihad’.

‘Every Inter-Faith Relationship Not Love Jihad’ : NBDSA Penalises News18 India, Aaj Tak & Times Now Navbharat For Communal Programshttps://t.co/Gq2ZXKoiEk

— Live Law (@LiveLawIndia) February 29, 2024

Objections were raised against a programme on ‘Aaj Tak’ based on the attacks on Shriram Navami processions

In 2023, fanatic Muslims attacked several Shriram Navami processions across the country. A programme was presented by Mr Sudhir Chaudhari on the Hindi news channel ‘Aaj Tak’. Based on a complaint lodged in this regard, NBDSA ordered the withdrawal of this video from every platform & media. NBDSA stated that a specific community had been targetted by linking a few improper incidents to communal violence. It is essential to be alert in future. The notice was issued to ‘Aaj Tak’ based on a complaint lodged by Indrajeet Ghorpade.

Editorial Perspectives

It is a known fact that fanatic Muslims frequently attack Hindu processions. If NBDSA calls it a crime to show the truth, it must be dissolved ! Talking of the term ‘Love Jihad’ has become a crime now, which proves the need to establish a ‘Hindu Rashtra’ ! Hindus should demand action against NBDSA, which is working against the Hindus.