Supreme Court to Deliberate on Sindhi Channel Plea

The Supreme Court is set to hear a plea urging the creation of a 24-hour Sindhi language channel. The NGO Sindhi Sangat challenges the Delhi High Court's decision rejecting their plea, arguing that current Prasar Bharti offerings provide insufficient coverage for Sindhi speakers in India.

The Supreme Court is scheduled to examine a petition by the NGO Sindhi Sangat that calls for the establishment of a dedicated 24-hour Sindhi language channel on Doordarshan. This move follows the Delhi High Court's dismissal of the NGO's plea, which had sought similar action.

A bench composed of Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra has been appointed to review the appeal. The NGO contends that the decision by Prasar Bharti to forgo the channel lacks a logical basis, given their responsibility to cover India's diverse languages and cultures adequately.

Prasar Bharti defended its position by pointing to programming on existing channels such as DD Girnar, DD Rajasthan, and DD Sahyadri, which broadcast Sindhi language content in regions with significant Sindhi-speaking populations. Despite this, the NGO maintains that these measures fall short of providing adequate representation for Sindhi speakers nationwide.

(With inputs from agencies.)