MUMBAI: Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Saturday night ordered immediate ban on the telecast of Colors’ mythological show, Ram Siya Ke Luv Kush. The show apparently has sparked a protest among the Valmiki community. The community on Saturday called for a protest during which a youth was shot at but later was operated upon. Seeing the mishaps, the District Commissioners started acting swiftly on the orders and stopped the telecast of the show. 

Now, the recent development on the case suggests that High Court has refused to lift ban on Ram Siya Ke Luv Kush. The Punjab High Court adjourned the case for the next hearing on 12 September. During a special hearing on a petition filed by Colors TV, Justice T.S. Dhindsa declined to grant a stay on the order passed by various District Commissioners in their capacity as District Magistrates. Arguing the case, Additional Advocate General Rameeza Hakeem said the decision to ban the telecast of the serial had been taken on the ground that Rishi Valmiki had been portrayed in a negative light, hurting the sentiments of the Valmiki community in Punjab. 

According to the media reports, during the hearing, which went beyond 5 p.m., Colors TV contended that the ban order was passed without adhering to the principles of natural justice, and without the ingredients of Section 19 of the Cable Operators Regulation Act. The channel also placed on record an offer from the producers of the serial to enter a dialogue with the Home Secretary to discuss the contentious scenes. They offered to delete the scenes that portrayed Valmiki in objectionable light.