The Supreme Court has rejected a plea by Sindhi Sangat, an NGO, seeking directives for the Central Government to launch a 24-hour Sindhi language channel on Doordarshan. The bench, headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and comprising Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, dismissed the petition and suggested that there may be alternative ways to preserve the Sindhi language.
The NGO had challenged a Delhi High Court order dated May 27, which previously dismissed their plea. The High Court ruled that Prasar Bharati’s decision not to start a dedicated Sindhi channel was reasonable and based on “intelligible differentia.”
Indira Jaising, the senior advocate representing the NGO, argued that one effective method of preserving the language would be through public broadcasting. However, the Supreme Court upheld the High Court’s stance, stating that there was no clear legal or constitutional basis for the demand.
The High Court, in its ruling, highlighted that section 12(2)(d) of the Prasar Bharati (Broadcasting Corporation of India) Act, 1990 mandates adequate coverage of diverse cultures and languages, but not a specific requirement for a full-time channel.
Prasar Bharati argued that a 24-hour Sindhi channel would not be sustainable, as Sindhi speakers account for around 26 lakh people according to the census. The corporation already broadcasts Sindhi-language programs through its channels DD Girnar, DD Rajasthan, and DD Sahyadri, which cater to regions with high Sindhi populations like Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra. These channels are also accessible nationwide through the DTH platform.
Key Highlights:
- Supreme Court Dismissal: The Supreme Court rejected the NGO Sindhi Sangat’s plea for a 24-hour Sindhi language channel on Doordarshan, upholding a Delhi High Court ruling that found Prasar Bharati’s decision reasonable.
- No Legal Basis: The Court emphasized that there was no clear legal or constitutional requirement for launching a full-time Sindhi channel, though alternative methods for preserving the language were suggested.
- Existing Sindhi Programs: Prasar Bharati argued that Sindhi-language content is already broadcast through DD Girnar, DD Rajasthan, and DD Sahyadri, making a dedicated 24-hour channel unsustainable due to the limited Sindhi-speaking population.