Indian channels are not closing

The Dhaka Times Desk Even before Eid, the media is reporting that the Indian channel is shutting down. The news of lawyer notice came again yesterday. In such a situation, an employee of the Ministry of Information said that the Indian channel is not being closed for the time being.

The craze of Eid bazaar 'Pakhi' dress has caused a scandal all over the country. Incidents like suicide and divorce have also occurred for girls who could not wear this dress for Eid, made after the character of 'Pakhi' in the serial 'Bojhe Na Se Bojhena' of Indian Bengali channel Star Jalsa. In such a situation, it was spread around before Eid that the Indian Bengali channels Star Jalsa and Zee Bangla are going to be shut down from August 6. Later, an official of the Ministry of Information said that these reports have no basis. But yesterday, a High Court lawyer suddenly sent a lawyer notice to the Ministry of Information. The notice asked to shut down all Indian channels within 24 hours.

Although there are demands to stop broadcasting of Star Jalsa and some Indian channels in Bangladesh, there is no initiative of the government for now. However, it has been reported that the download link fee will be increased.

When asked about this, Information Secretary Mortuza Ahmad told the media that there is currently no initiative to stop broadcasting of Star Jalsa channel. In this regard, Ministry of Information Joint Secretary (Broadcasting) Moha. Abul Hossain told the media in the same response that there is no initiative to stop broadcasting of Star Jalsa channel.

It is reported that the download link fee of the Indian pay-channel will be increased from the present 1.5 lakh taka to 3 lakh taka. It is currently in the law ministry for vetting.

At present, there are 24 TV channels in the country, both public and private. The Bangladesh private television channel owners' association demanded that domestic channels be shown on prime channel (from the first side), but it did not happen. There are allegations that only Indian channels are on prime channel in exchange of huge amount of money.