New Delhi: Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) on Thursday wrote to the Union Education Ministry seeking action against Sudarshan News editor-in-chief Suresh Chavhanke for tarnishing its reputation and allegedly using communal slurs.
In a trailer of its upcoming show released on Twitter, the news channel claimed to have exposed the infiltration of people of a particular community in Civil Services.
In the promo video, Chavhanke called those passing out of Jamia’s Residential Coaching Academy (RCA) and clearing the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) “Jamia ke jihadi”, reported Firstpost.
श्री @harnathsinghmp जी ने राज्यसभा में #UPSC_Jihad विरूद्ध नोटिस देने के लिए मेरे साथ अभी विस्तार से चर्चा की है। मैं उनका धन्यवाद करता हूँ और अन्य सांसदों से #नौकरशाही_जिहाद से देश को ग़ुलाम होने से बचाने के लिए संसद में आवाज़ उठाने के लिए अपील करता हूँ pic.twitter.com/B103VYjlmt
— Suresh Chavhanke “Sudarshan News” (@SureshChavhanke) August 26, 2020
“How come suddenly the number of Muslims has increased in IAS and IPS? What is the secret of them getting the highest marks and ranks in one of the toughest exams?” Chavhanke asked in the video.
“Imagine if the ‘jihadi of Jamia’ will be your district collectors and secretaries in ministries, what will happen then? Watch our biggest expose on ‘naukarshahi jihad’ (bureaucracy jihad) this Friday,” Chavhanke further added.
“We have written to the education ministry informing them about the whole episode and requested them to take appropriate action. We told them that Sudarshan channel has not only tried to tarnish the image of JMI and a particular community but the image of UPSC as well,” said Jamia PRO Ahmed Azeem, as quoted by The Indian Express.
Earlier on Thursday, Jamia’s Teacher’s Association also condemned the incident and asked the administration to take action on the matter, Hindustan Times reported.
“The tweet and language in the video are anti-national, it accuses the selection process by UPSC in highly objectionable words. It also targets recruitment of Muslims in the Indian Administrative Services and labels them with the word ‘jihadi’ and dares how any Muslim can become an Indian administrative officer [sic],” said JTA secretary Majid Jamil, adding that the video puts Jamia’s Residential Coaching Academy in “bad light”.
The show has also been criticised by IPS officers. Stating it ‘irresponsible’ journalism, the IPS Association, the central body of the Indian Police Service officers, said, “A news story targeting candidates in civil services on the basis of religion is being promoted by Sudarshan News. We condemn the communal and irresponsible piece of journalism.”
Several retired and serving civil service officers also condemned the video, “By casting doubts on the integrity and impartiality of a constitutional body like the UPSC in the selection of officers for All-India Services, he is spreading disaffection for the constitutional scheme of governance,” said retired IPS officer NC Asthana.
The Indian Police Foundation also tweeted against the video citing it as a ‘hate story’.
The hate story carried on a Noida TV channel against minority candidates joining IAS /IPS is dangerous bigotry. We refrain from retweeting it because it is pure venom. We hope #NewsBroadcastingStandardsAuthority, #UPPolice and concerned government authorities take strict action.
— Indian Police Foundation (@IPF_ORG) August 27, 2020
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