Lok Sabha Question No. 482 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-02-06
Subject: Communal Incidents
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: SHIVAJI ADHALRAO PATIL, PRITAM GOPINATH MUNDE, Shrirang Appa Barne, VINAYAK BHAURAO RAUT, DHARMENDRA YADAV

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. †482

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 06 TH  FEBRUARY, 2018 / MAGHA 17, 1939 (SAKA)

## COMMUNAL INCIDENTS

†482. SHRI ADHALRAO PATIL SHIVAJIRAO:

DR. PRITAM GOPINATH MUNDE: SHRI SHRIRANG APPA BARNE: SHRI VINAYAK BHAURAO RAUT: SHRI DHARMENDRA YADAV:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  there  are  reports  that  certain  anti-social  elements  are  trying  to give  communal  and  casteist  twist  to  criminal  incidents  taking  place  in  the country and if so, the details thereof;
- (b)  whether  the  media  is  also  presenting/showing  these  incidents  to  viewers without verifying the fact;

(c) if so, the details thereof;

(d)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  incorporate  any  new  provision  and amend  the  existing  laws  to  check  such  cases  and  to  take  stringent  action against the guilty persons and if so, the details thereof; and

- (e)    the  details  of  the  steps  being  taken  by  the  Government  to  promote communal harmony in the country?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI HANSRAJ GANGARAM AHIR)

(a): As per available information, there is no such trend discernible.

## L.S.US.Q NO. 482 FOR 06.02.2018

(b) to (d):   As  regards  Print  Media,  Press  Council  of  India  (PCI),  a  statutory autonomous body under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, has been set  up  under  the  Press  Council  Act,  1978  to  maintain  and  improve  the standards  of  newspapers  and  news  agencies  in  the  country  and  also  to inculcate the principles of self-regulation among the press. In furtherance of its objective, the PCI has formulated 'Norms of Journalistic Conduct' for adherence by the media. The Council monitors and takes cognizance, suo-motu or on complaints, of contents in print media which prima facie, are violative of Norms of Journalistic Conduct framed by Press Council of India. The council may warn, admonish or censure the newspaper, the news agency, the editor or the journalist or disapprove the conduct of the editor or the journalist.

With respect to advertisements telecast on private satellite TV channels, it  is  stated  that  as  per  existing  regulatory  framework,  the  programmes  are regulated as per Programme and Advertising Codes prescribed under the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995 and the rules framed thereunder. The Act does not provide for pre-censorship of the programmes and advertisements  aired  on  these  channels.  However,  all  these  channels  are required to adhere to the said codes. The said codes provide for a wide range of parameters to regulate programmes and advertisements on TV channels

## L.S.US.Q NO. 482 FOR 06.02.2018

including  the  content  shown  without  verification  or  promoting  communal attitudes  or  likely  to  encourage  violence  or  giving  castiest  twist  to  criminal incidents.

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has set up Electronic Media Monitoring Centre (EMMC) to monitor the content of private TV channels with reference  to  the  violation  of  Programme  and  Advertising  Codes.  An  InterMinisterial Committee (IMC) has also been set up in the Ministry to look into the  specific  complaints  or  suo-motu  take  cognizance  against  the  violation  of Programme and Advertising Codes. The IMC meets periodically and recommends  action  in  respect  of  violation  of  Programme  and  Advertising Codes by private TV channels.  Appropriate action is taken as and when any violation of the said codes is established.

The existing provisions contained in the Programme & Advertising Codes and  the  existing  mechanism  are  considered  adequate  to  regulate  content  of private satellite TV channels.

(e) In  order  to  maintain  communal  harmony  in  the  country,  the  Central Government assists the State Governments/Union Territory Administrations in a variety of ways  like  sharing  of intelligence,  sending  alert  messages, advisories etc. from time to time on important developments having bearing on

## L.S.US.Q NO. 482 FOR 06.02.2018

communal  harmony.    The Central  Government on the requests of the States/Union  Territories,  sends  Central  Armed  Police  Forces,  including  the composite  Rapid  Action  Force,  created  specially  to  deal  with  communal situation.

The Central Government has issued the Communal Harmony Guidelines in 2008,  which  inter-alia  lay  down  standard  operating  procedures  to  be  put  in place  to  deal  with  the  situations  arising  out  of  communal  violence.  These guidelines are aimed to maintain due vigilance, careful planning and preparatory measures which may  prevent and pre-empt many  possible incidents of communal violence.  These guidelines are reiterated while sending advisories.

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