The UK-based Sikh web channel — that the Punjab government wants banned for “encouraging unrest” — on Saturday said it is neither supporting the separatist movement nor aiding Pakistani militants.
Addressing a press conference here, Jaswinder Singh, India head of sikhchannel.tv, said the channel has never shown any separatist content nor highlighted anything secessionist in nature.
Jaswinder added that while they were not aware that the Punjab government had sought ban on their channel in India, they had come to know that the Government of India had written to the UK government stating that the channel was promoting separatist movement in India and had sent an aid of £2,500 (Rs 2.5 lakh) to Pakistan militants.
The channel’s spokesperson said the channel is yet to take up the matter with the UK government. “We are holding a briefing as the media here has reported the allegations against us which are baseless and wild,” he said.
Jaswinder asserted that channel does not support any separatist or illegal movements and it has never- recently or since its launch in 2009 given any money to any unauthorised or illegal groups in the UK or anywhere around the world. “We believe in the sovereignty of India and are as much part of India as anyone else,” said Jaswinder
{{/usCountry}}Jaswinder asserted that channel does not support any separatist or illegal movements and it has never- recently or since its launch in 2009 given any money to any unauthorised or illegal groups in the UK or anywhere around the world. “We believe in the sovereignty of India and are as much part of India as anyone else,” said Jaswinder
{{/usCountry}}“We are being targeted because we showed the Sarbat Khalsa live,” said Jaswinder.
Punjab Police has written to the Centre’s department of electronics and information technology (DIETY) seeking a ban on the channel for allegedly promoting secessionist agenda. “I demand proof from the Punjab government that the channel has shown any such content,” said Jaswinder.