NBDSA Directs Broadcaster TV 18 To Remove Interview Of Dhirendra Shastri 'Promoting Superstition', 'Divisive' Religious Statements

The News Broadcasting and Digital Standards Authority on Monday directed news broadcaster TV 18 Broadcast Ltd to remove in seven days a video interview of Dhirendra Shastri, also known as Baba Bageshwar from the website of its channel–News 18 India and Youtube, after noting that Shastri made "claims promoting superstition" and statements "concerning Hindu Rashtra. The News Broadcasting and Digital Standards Authority on Monday directed news broadcaster TV 18 Broadcast Ltd to remove in seven days a video interview of Dhirendra Shastri, also known as Baba Bageshwar from the website of its channel–News 18 India and Youtube, after noting that Shastri made "claims promoting superstition" and statements "concerning Hindu Rashtra and religion which were divisive in nature". Furthermore, during the broadcast, several statements were made by the seer concerning Hindu Rashtra and religion, which were divisive in nature, such as that in order to live in India it would be mandatory to say "Sita Ram" and that Islam asked men to trap young Hindu girls in love jihad and then kill them.Therefore, the broadcast violated the Specific Guidelines covering Reportage relating to Racial and Religious Harmony, Supernatural, Occultism and Paranormal and the Advisory on reportage spreading superstition, occultism & blind belief". With respect to Shastri's statements, the broadcaster submitted that the anchor had "explicitly mentioned" during the interview that there were 25-30 crore other populations whose interests must also be taken care of.