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Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana death sentence leads channels

The controversial death sentence that has been given to Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana has been dominating the headlines in India, plus the output on Sikh Channel and Sangat TV in the UK.

He was sentenced in 2007 for his role in the 1995 murder of then-Punjab state Chief Minister Beant Singh.
If carried out, the execution would be the first in India since 2004.

With the hanging set to take place this Saturday (31st March), TV channels have been making last minute schedule changes to bring viewers the latest on Rajoana.

Majority of the output on the Sikh Channel has been changed to ’31st March: 04:30′ – the date and timing of the hanging. Talking to BizAsia.co.uk, the channel said, “In a response to the unprecedented demands from the international Sikh community to cover this news, the Sikh Channel is endeavoring to reflect and highlight the concerns of our viewers.

Guest speakers have continued to reiterate that Chief Minister Beant Singh was a Joseph Kony type figure who unleashed unprecedented violence on the Punjab people. They have claimed that the actions of Mr. Balwant Singh Rajoana brought about greater peace in the Punjab state.

British and European Sikh organizations and temples are planning unprecedented large scale protests on European soil in response to the scheduled hanging.

Sikh Channel will cover all events and has secured exclusive access to a young Sikh preacher and confidant of Mr. Balwant Singh Rajoana. Sant Baba Baljit Singh is the only person with access and news relating to this matter which he is conveying to the world via the Sikh channel.”

Similarly, Sangat TV has been broadcasting discussion shows throughout most of its evening output and updates during the day.

ZEE Punjabi has covered news updates on the channel. It is still yet to decide whether it will be running any live shows ahead of the hanging this weekend.