DD News logo in saffron sparks controversy: Opposition vs. BJP
Doordarshan News, a public broadcaster in India, recently changed its logo’s color from red to orange, sparking a heated political debate. The new saffron hue raised eyebrows due to its association with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Opposition’s Criticism:
Opposition parties swiftly criticized the change, labeling it as “unethical” and “grossly illegal.” They argued that the sudden shift to saffron hinted at bias towards the BJP. Mamata Banerjee, the Chief Minister of West Bengal, vehemently opposed the move, denouncing it as “saffronization” and accusing Doordarshan of partisanship. She also questioned the Election Commission for permitting what she deemed a violation of conduct rules during elections.
BJP’s Response:
In contrast, BJP leaders hailed the change as a “homecoming,” asserting that the saffron color was part of the original logo design introduced in 1982. They argued that the shift back to saffron was reclaiming the broadcaster’s heritage. Amit Malviya, the BJP IT Cell chief, pointed out that color television was introduced in India in 1982, coinciding with Doordarshan’s emergence as the national broadcaster, and shared historical clips to support his claim.
Defense and Explanation:
Prasar Bharati, the government-owned broadcaster overseeing Doordarshan, defended the logo change. Gaurav Dwivedi, the CEO of Prasar Bharati, explained that the color alteration was also implemented for the network’s English news channel DD India to maintain visual consistency, particularly ahead of international events like the G20 summit.
Concerns and Critique:
However, critics, including former Prasar Bharati CEO Jawhar Sircar, expressed alarm over what they perceived as the merger of the ruling party’s identity with state institutions. Sircar likened the move to a characteristic of totalitarian regimes, where distinguishing between party and state becomes blurred. The opposition’s concerns centered around maintaining the neutrality and integrity of public broadcasters, especially during sensitive political periods such as elections.
The controversy surrounding the Doordarshan News logo underscores deeper tensions between political parties regarding the perceived impartiality of public institutions. While the BJP sees the change as a return to tradition, opposition voices raise valid concerns about the potential politicization of public broadcasting. As the debate continues, questions about the role of state-owned media in a democratic society come to the forefront.
