Shocked at ‘saffronisation’ of Doordarshan logo, it’s unethical & Illegal: Mamata
‘The ECI must reverse the change and go back to the original colour’
'I am shocked at the sudden saffronisation and change of colour of our Doordarshan logo when the national elections are taking place across the country! It is absolutely unethical, grossly illegal, and speaks loudly of the pro-BJP bias of the national public broadcaster!'
KOLKATA: Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo Mamata Banerjee on Saturday expressed shock at a sudden change of colour of the Doordarshan logo calling the move “absolutely unethical, grossly illegal”.
She also demanded that the Election Commission of India (ECI) reverse the change to go back to the original colour of the logo.
India’s government-owned broadcaster, Prasar Bharati, announced the change of the historic flagship logo of national broadcaster Doordarshan. The colour of the logo has now been changed to saffron. The announcement came through DD News’ official X account. The post read: “While our values remain the same, we are now available in a new avatar.”
Banerjee termed the “saffronisation” of the Doordarshan logo as a violation of the model code of conduct (MCC). She questioned the timing of this move as the election is on.
In a post on X, Banerjee said: “I am shocked at the sudden saffronisation and change of colour of our Doordarshan logo when the national elections are taking place across the country! It is absolutely unethical, grossly illegal, and speaks loudly of the pro-BJP bias of the national public broadcaster! How could the Election Commission of India allow this crude, pro-Saffron violation of the Model Code of Conduct when the people are in the electoral mode?”
She further stated: “ECI must immediately stop it and reverse the change to go back to the original blue colour of the logo of Doordarshan!”
Former CEO of Prasar Bharati and Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha MP, Jawhar Sircar in post on X said: “As ex CEO of Prasar Bharati it hurts to see the saffronisation of Doordarshan’s logo — just before elections! It will influence voters, by overlaying the colour one religion and Sangh parivar colour with a ‘neutral’ Public Broadcaster and a biassed Govt/Regime!”
Incidentally, while referring to the incidents of painting Central government offices with saffron, Banerjee from an election rally in Murshidabad on Friday had said: “They are painting airport, railway stations with saffron. Sadhus (monks) wear saffron. When have you (BJP) become sadhu?”