Hyderabad: The TRS took strong objection to Union information minister Prakash Javadekar’s threat to cancel the licence of MSOs on the issue of blocking two Telugu TV channels to protest against anti-Telangana tirade.
TRS MP A.P. Jitender Reddy, who met Mr Javadekar in New Delhi, lodged a counter complaint alleging that MSOs in Andhra Pradesh had stopped telecast of Telangana channels V6 and T-News during the Telangana movement.
“Who started the ban? It is the MSOs of Andhra Pradesh. They first blocked T-News and subsequently V6 during the Telangana movement on the cab-le network. Freedom of speech applies to all, whether it is Telangana or AP.”
“While the state government has no role, the MSOs were upset over the offensive and derogatory programme Bullet News telecast by a channel,” Mr Reddy said. Asserting he was for freedom of speech in the media, Mr Reddy said the BJP and the TD leaders, who are now demanding lifting of ban by MSOs, should also ask MSOs of Seemandhra to ens-ure telecast of Telang-ana channels in AP.
Mr Javadekar was unaware of blocking of V 6 and T News in Andhra Pradesh and expressed surprise. He was also unaware of burning of the dailyNamaste Telangana copies during the Telangana movement, he added.
It might be recalled that after Chief Minister, Mr K. Chandrasekhar Rao took strong objection to the telecast of a programme Bullet News on TV 9 in the Telangana Assembly for demeaning legislators and the Assembly. the House moved a resolution condemning it and suggested action, which is still pending. The MSOs stopped the telecast of TV 9 and ABN channels in the cable network from June 16.
TRS MPs Mr Jitender Reddy, Mr B. Vinod Kumar and others complained to the President Mr Pranab Mukherjee on the Centre’s move to bring Hyderabad law and order under the control of Governor against the constitutional norms.
"We explained to him about the serious repercussions of such a move. We are confident the Centre will not venture into such a move lest it creates a new crisis in the country since law and order is a state subject "Mr Reddy added.
TRS MPs have taken up the issue with the Centre along with Polavaram, controversial fee reimbursement and other issues. Sources said the MPs delegation who met the Prime Minister, Mr Narendra Modi in the past, President of India, Union Home Minister, Mr Rajanath Singh complained agains the t sinister activities of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, Mr N Chandrababu Naidu and Union Minister, Mr M Venkaiah Naidu against the interests of Telangana State.
"Mr Chandrababu Naidu and Mr Venkaiah Naidu are indulging in anti-Telangana activities. We have asked the Centre to check them," a TRS MP added.
