 | « Back to article | Print this article |
Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao has sparked a controversy after he threatened to "bury TV channels alive that have dared to insult Telangana, its MLAs, and Telangana's self-respect."
The problem arose when transmission of two TV channels -- TV9 and ABN Andhra Jyoti -- allegedly portraying the members of the Telangana assembly in a bad light was blocked. The news channels have been protesting against what they call an unofficial ban.
"We'll break the necks and throw them out. Is this a channel for us? We'll bury whoever insults the Telangana assembly. We won't allow idiotic games. I'm saying this as the chief minister of the state," KCR said in Wrangal on Tuesday.
They must "salute and give respect," otherwise worse awaits them, he warned. "I salute multiple system operators who stopped transmission of the two television channels. If they (TV channels) do not mend their attitude, I will teach them a lesson," he added.
The two channels have virtually been off air in new state, after they aired a satirical programme on the CM and his ministers on the day of their swearing-in ceremony on June 2. However, the state government insists that it has nothing to do with the TV channels not being aired.
The Telangana assembly had also passed a resolution earlier, authorising the Speaker to initiate any action as he deemed fit against TV9 for airing an alleged "objectionable programmes" and "belittling comments" about MLAs.
With inputs from PTI
Image: Telangana CM K Chandrasekhar Rao