'Broadcast Fell Short Of Neutrality & Impartiality': NBDSA On Aaj Tak Programme Claiming Taj Mahal Was Once Hindu Temple

The News Broadcasting & Digital Standards Authority (NBDSA) has directed news channel Aaj Tak to edit its programme “Black and White Full Episode” hosted by journalist Sudhir Chaudhary broadcasted on November 29, 2024 in so far it claimed that the Taj Mahal was once a Hindu temple.The complaint was filed in respect of a broadcast titled “Black and White Full Episode: Sambhal Jama Masjid और Ajmer Dargah का क्या रिश्ता?” aired on Aaj Tak, which was at the time hosted by Chaudhary. After hearing the parties, and looking at the previous proceedings, NBDSA Chairperson Justice A.K. Sikri observed:“While the broadcaster had relied on the Archaeological Survey of India's report when covering claims about the Qutub Minar, it omitted similar official records when reporting on the Taj Mahal. As a result, the broadcast fell short of the standards of neutrality and impartiality mandated under the Code of Conduct…it would be pertinent to bring to the attention of the broadcaster that the question raised herein was not whether sufficient prominence was given to other views, but rather whether the broadcaster had presented any counter view, at all, particularly, one which is grounded in official records. In view of the same, NBDSA directs the broadcaster to edit the programme insofar as the Taj Mahal is concerned.”The complainant Indrajeet Ghorpade had raised a complaint on December 1, 2024 wherein it was stated that the anchor's reportage on Sambhal Jama Masjid, Ajmer Dargah and the Taj Mahal presented a one-sided narrative on the destruction of Hindu temples by Muslim rules whereas, globally, rulers have called for destruction places of worship irrespective of religion. The complainant alleged that the show violated several guidelines of NBDSA including the Code of Ethics, Specific Guidelines for Reporting Court Proceedings, etc.The broadcaster responded to the complaint by stating that the impugned broadcast presented in a documentary style, aimed to offer a “post-mortem” or a historical analysis of the alleged destruction of Hindu temples in the Indian sub-continent. It also pointed out the sources relied on and argued that there cannot be an interpretation that the broadcaster is endorsing these claims as the sole or definitive account or that it is dismissing potential opposing viewpoints.The NBDSA had passed its decision on the complaint and held, “Upon perusing the footage, NBDSA found that, during the broadcast, the anchor had given a narrative of the history of the destruction of Hindu temples over a period, which he supported with an ASI report and books written on the subject.”Aggrieved, the complaint had preferred a review application stating that the anchor had ignored the Archaeological Survey of India's clarification that the Taj Mahal is a tomb and was not built on a Hindu temple.The broadcaster submitted that they were merely presenting the claims made by third parties and nowhere did they claim that this was the majority view.The NBDSA then closed the complaint.Click to Read/Download Order

'Broadcast Fell Short Of Neutrality & Impartiality': NBDSA On Aaj Tak Programme Claiming Taj Mahal Was Once Hindu Temple

K. Salma Jennath

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K. Salma Jennath

'Broadcast Fell Short Of Neutrality & Impartiality': NBDSA On Aaj Tak Programme Claiming Taj Mahal Was Once Hindu Temple

K. Salma Jennath

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K. Salma Jennath

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