Gurkha remark: I&B notice to pvt FM channel

NEW DELHI/SILIGURI: The information and broadcasting ministry on Saturday issued a showcause notice to a Delhi-based private FM channel after its radio jockey’s alleged derogatory remark against Gurkhas sparked violence in Siliguri on Friday. The ministry has given the channel time till Monday to give an explanation on the remarks which it says has violated the programme code of All India Radio. A statement by the ministry said that from the sequence of events it was evident that the "derogatory remarks" against the Gurkha community were in violation of the AIR’s programme code that the channel was expected to follow. The AIR programme code prohibits "any programmes attacking communities, anything defamatory, incitement to violence and anything against law and order. From the sequence of events it is prima facie evident that the remarks are in violation of the programme code of AIR and hence, the permission holder has been given time till 4 pm on October 1, 2007 to explain why action should not be taken against them," a ministry statement said. The government action comes close on the heels of West Bengal chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee’s complaint to the home ministry regarding Friday’s violence. The CM had also asked the Union government to take strong action against the FM channel. Several members of the Gurkha community had also protested against the FM channel to the government. Gurkhas have taken exception to the remarks on the channel about Indian Idol talent show winner Prashant Tamang who belongs to the community. An I&B ministry official said, "The Gurkha community has reacted strongly to the remarks by the RJ protesting the stereotyping as racist and insulting." According to a report by the Union home ministry, general strikes were called in several places like Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Sukna in protest and Army and para-military forces were deployed to maintain law and order. There were violent clashes in Siliguri leading to police firing and curfew being imposed. The FM channel’s spokesperson clarified that they had apologised to Prashant Tamang over the "derogatory remarks". Tamang later issued a statement asking his supporters to refrain from violence. Meanwhile, the curfew was lifted from most of places of Siliguri on Saturday. "No untoward incident was reported from anywhere. The Army staged a flag march to ensure peace," a police officer said.