Just before the election, the Election Commission has issued notices to channels in the country for airing shows that promote the central government schemes, reported Asian Age. In the crackdown, the election watchdog has notified Zee TV and &TV with a show-cause notice. The concerned serials which broadcasted episodes promoting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP’s pet schemes were Bhabiji Ghar Par Hain! which is broadcasted on &TV and Tujhse Hai Raabta which is aired on Zee TV. The agency has asked both the channels to respond within 24 hours. Both the channels are under the Zee group.
Election Commission asks for a reply
Dilip Shinde, the Maharastra Additional Chief Electoral Officer said that they have received complaints against Zee TV and &TV for violating the model code of conduct (MCC). He further said that after receiving the complaints, the EC has asked the producers of respective serials which have promoted government schemes to reply within a day. “Further action will be taken after receiving their reply”, he added.
Sachin Sawant, Maharastra Congress General Secretary condemned both the serials and said they will ask the poll body to file cases against the makers, actors and the Bharatiya Janata Party. “It was a serious matter and the action by the EC was expected. The channels have brazenly violated the code of conduct. I had demanded that the channels should be suspended for the violation,” Sawant said. Congress is likely to complain against another serial ‘Tula Pahate Re’ that is aired on Zee Marathi channel for promoting Make in India scheme.
Clips from the concerned shows
One of the Twitter users posted a clip from one of the episodes of Bhabiji Ghar Par Hain! that aired on April 4. In the clip, it can be seen one of the characters is praising Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, saying “ Ek woh aadmi hain jo din raat desh ki akhandata aur swachhta ki baat karta hai”. This means – There is one man who only speaks of a united and clean country. The character further goes on explaining why the scheme did not succeed and blames the lack of awareness. He further says that due to a hardworking politician the scheme is active.
Yesterday i realized Modi has found another venue to advertise himself. i watch "Bhabhi ji ghar par hain" (that’s right, deal with it), this TV serial has started to use some not so subtle Product placement/advertisement recently, but yesterday something else happened
…1/n pic.twitter.com/hClL6PErvF— Victim (Heath Ledger) Goberoi (@VictimGames) April 6, 2019
The Twitter user posted another clip from the same serial where the main character- Bhabiji is being seen promoting the Ujjwala Yojana. In the clip, Bhabiji explains her husband about government initiating Ujjwala Yojana to curb the indoor pollution which affects women and children in villages.
Thursday’s episode used Swacch Bharat Abhiyan while Friday’s episode used Ujjwala Scheme to sing praises of Modi. Pay attention to keywords "humare desh ki akhandta aur ekta ko khatra na pahuche", & "karmath, sushil, gyani, atulniya, purush" used to set the tone. pic.twitter.com/QjZ4fnwHPC
— Victim (Heath Ledger) Goberoi (@VictimGames) April 6, 2019
Another Twitter user posted a clip from Tujhse Hai Raabta, where one character is talking about Mudra Yojana while talking to her grandmother.
— Rohan Desai (@MautKaPashinda) April 6, 2019
A zee group spokesperson has said that the contents were made based on public interest, reported the Mumbai Mirror.
Also Read: Instances Of Political Parties Violating Or “Almost Violating” The Model Code Of Conduct
