More censorship? Bengaluru police asks media to 'exercise restraint'

The advisory said it has come to the notice that in the wake of the recent murder of RSS activist Rudresh and subsequent arrest of the accused in this case belonging to Popular Front of India and celebration of Tipu Jayanti on November 10, some TV channels had been telecasting provocative and inciting news reports/programmes.

"These provocative news reports and programmes may cause disaffection amongst the members of the public, igniting communal tensions resulting in serious law and order situation in the State of Karnataka specifically in Bengaluru city," it said.

The advisory said news, views or comments relating to the murder case and celebration of Tipu Jayanti should be telecast only after proper verification of facts and presented with due caution and restraint in a manner which is in the public interest to maintain harmony. 35-year-old RSS worker Rudresh was hacked to death by two motorcycle-borne men on Kamaraja Road on October 16 when he was with his friends after attending a Sangh event.

Five persons, including the PFI Bengaluru president, have been arrested in connection with the case. Also, the Congress government's decision to observe the birth anniversary of Tipu Sultan, 18th-century ruler of erstwhile Mysore kingdom has stirred a major row, with opinion sharply divided among intellectuals, academia and various communities and organisations, who have differing views on his reign. The event which had led to clashes in Kodagu district last year had even reached the High Court.

The advisory signed by Megharikh has asked all TV channels to follow provisions of the Programme Code and Advertising Code "scrupulously" and exercise "restraint" and "sensitivity" while reporting such news and "refrain" from telecasting any material which could ignite passions and create law and order problem in Bengaluru.

The advisory issued in 'public interest' states that care may also be exercised in the choice of words.

• Tipu Jayanti
• RSS worker murder
• Bangalore Police Commissioner