A writ petition filed in the Bangladesh High Court has called for a ban on the broadcast of Indian TV channels, citing concerns over their negative impact on Bangladeshi culture and society. The move, reported by Dhaka Tribune, aims to address the growing influence of Indian television content and its alleged erosion of local traditions, reports The Hindu.
The petitioners argue that Indian TV shows, movies, and news programmes promote materialism, violence, and values that are not aligned with Bangladesh’s cultural ethos. They also claim that Indian media often portrays Bangladesh in a distorted manner, contributing to a negative international image of the country.
Filed by lawyer Ekhlas Uddin Bhuiyan, the petition seeks an order directing the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) to halt the transmission of Indian television channels via local cable networks. Bhuiyan confirmed that a High Court bench comprising Justice Fatema Najib and Justice Sikder Mahmudur Razi is expected to hear the matter later this month.
“Indian TV content is widely consumed, particularly by the youth, but much of it undermines our cultural and social values. This is leading to a loss of our unique identity and adversely affecting our younger generation,” the petition stated.
The petitioners further accused certain Indian channels of using offensive language and perpetuating false stereotypes about Bangladesh. They emphasised that such content poses a threat to the nation’s cultural preservation and social fabric.
