The Delhi High Court today sought response from Aaj Tak, News Broadcasters Association of India, Press Council of India and Central government in petitions alleging vicious and concocted campaign by the news channel against Sikh community (Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa vs Aaj Tak & Ors) (Majit Singh GK vs Aaj Tak & Ors).
The petitions, preferred by Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, Member of Rajya Sabha and Manjit Singh GK, former President of Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee, has sought a direction to the authorities to restrain fake news and set up accountability measures.
Notice in the petitions was issued by the Division Bench of Chief Justice DN Patel and Justice Jyoti Singh.
The cause of action for the petitions, it is stated, is the Aaj Tak report showing that the farm laws protesters desecrated the "Shikhara" of Uttar Pradesh tableau on Ram Janmabhoomi Temple.
"..pursuant to the events on 26.01.2021, certain media houses (i.e. AAJ TAK) have unleashed an offensive and potentially fatal communal attack on the "Sikh" community by continuous circulation and constant transmission of unverified videos through different platfoms including their respective news channels, YouTube and other such digital and online platforms," it has been alleged.
The petitioners assert that the allegations made by Aaj Tak are untrue, baseless and a concoction of phantom imagination.
The petitioners contend that the "tirade launched through the circulation of such malicious and vindictive videos" outrages the dignity, modesty and goodwill of the Sikh community.
"..such vivious campaign directed against a particular community especially at a time when public sentiments are flared up could result in disastrous consequences for the community including endangering the lives, property and liberty of the people belonging to the "Sikh" community," the petition reads.
The petitioners submit that a vicious campaign directed against the Sikh community, especially at a time when public sentiments are flared up, could result in disastrous consequences resulting in endangerment of lives, property and liberty.
The case will be heard next on February 26.
The petitions were filed through advocates Parminder Singh Goindi, BS Bagga and Naveen Chaudhary.