‘Bigg Boss’ in trouble for using national anthem

Colors’ flagship reality TV show ‘Bigg Boss’ has landed in hot water after the Delhi High Court directed the central government to take action on the channel for using the national anthem to promote the series in cinema halls in India.

The audio of the commercial demanded that all present in the hall should “stand up for the national anthem” as ‘Bigg Boss’ wanted it.

A division bench of Chief Justice D Murugesan and Justice Rajiv Sahai Endlaw said, “In the wake of serious allegations levelled by the petitioner that the national anthem is disrespected, we direct the central government to treat this PIL as representation and the grievances be dealt with in accordance with the law.”

The PIL filed by Jeetender Gupta, a lawyer, alleged that Colors has “disrespected” the national anthem by using it to promote the realty show in various PVR multiplexes in the city as well as in other parts of the country.

“The Colors channel randomly displayed an advertisement inside the movie theatres and the said advertisement was in the form of a visual displaying the logo of its programme ‘Bigg Boss 6’ followed by an audio demanding all present in the hall to stand up for the national anthem.

It further added, “The respondent (TV channel) is trying to associate itself with the national anthem solely for commercial purpose of promoting its latest TV programme.”

Extracts from IBN Live