Peace TV Was Refused Permission to Telecast in India: Venkaiah

The channel had applied for permission in 2008 as well as 2009, which were rejected for “security reasons”.

I&B Minister M Venkaiah Naidu said the channel had applied for permission in 2008 which was rejected. (Photo: PTI)

Peace TV, which airs speeches of controversial preacher Zakir Naik, was refused permission to telecast in India for “security reasons”, I&B Minister M Venkaiah Naidu on Monday said.

We have seen in recent days that the so-called Peace TV is affecting peace and then several countries have also banned that channel. But here the question of banning does not arise as it is not permitted at all.

M Venkaiah Naidu, I&B Minister

He said the channel had applied for permission in 2008 which was rejected. They had made a fresh appeal in 2009, which was also rejected for “security reasons”.

There is a huge amount of money... That is a separate part that is being looked into by the Home Ministry. Foreign Contribution Regulation Act violations and also objectionable content etc (sic).

Naidu said he had earlier held a meeting with officials of Home and other ministries and different teams have been formed to study the content already telecast by the channel.

“Whatever action is required will be taken by the Home Ministry, the Information and Broadcasting Ministry, the IT Ministry, and the Intelligence Bureau etc. States will also take the required action,” he said.

(With PTI inputs.)

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