SC order banning release of PM Modi's biopic during election period also applies to NaMo TV

The Election Commission’s Wedneday order which banned the screening of the biopic on Prime Minister Narendra Modi during poll period also applies to the recently launched NaMo TV, which cannot be aired during the elections, PTI quoted a poll panel official as saying. 

The official referred to a paragraph in the order which said,"that any poster or publicity material concerning any such certified content, which either depicts a candidate (including prospective) for the furtherance (or purported to further) of electoral prospects, directly or indirectly, shall not be put on display in electronic media in the area where MCC is in force." 

The channel -- dedicated to speeches of Prime Minister Narendra Modi -- had recently emerged across major DTH platforms nationwide, leading to severe criticism of the government by the opposition parties. With the AAP and the Congress approaching the poll panel with the complaints, the Information & Broadcast Ministry reposnded that NaMo TV does not fall under its purview since it is functioning as a special platform for DTH (direct-to-home) operators.

Earlier toay, banning the screening of the biopic, the Election Commission said that any such film that subserves purpose of any political entity or individual should not be displayed in the electronic media. 

The EC order came a day before the movie was to be released. 

The Supreme Court had on Tuesday dismissed a petition filed by a Congress activist seeking stay on the release of the biopic and said the Election Commission would be an "appropriate" place to seek the redressal.

The apex court said it was not entertaining the petition for the stay on the release of the film as it was "premature" since the movie is yet to be certified by the Censor Board.

It said even if the film is released on April 11, as claimed by the Congress activist, it will be appropriate for him to seek a redressal from the Election Commission.

The plea had sought deferment of the biopic's release till the completion of the coming Lok Sabha polls, alleging that it was designed to "manipulate, influence and impress viewers and voters".