Doordarshan's New Saffron Logo Sparks Row, Former Prasar Bharati CEO Says 'It Hurts To See...'

The new Doordarshan logo, which changed from traditional red to a more distinct orange shade, has ignited a wave of discontent online, with several users pointing out a shift towards a saffron tone.

Doordarshan changed its logo to saffron.

New Delhi: The recent unveiling of the new logo of the Doordarshan news channel, the government's flagship broadcasting outlet, has sparked controversy, drawing sharp criticism from Opposition parties. The new logo, which changed from the traditional red to a more distinct saffron shade, has ignited a wave of discontent online, with several users pointing out a shift towards a saffron tone in the logo, especially during the Lok Sabha elections.

DD News, the English news channel of Doordarshan, revealed the logo and posted on X, “While our values remain the same, we are now available in a new avatar. Get ready for a news journey like never before.. Experience the all-new DD News! We have the courage to put: Accuracy over speed Facts over claims Truth over sensationalism Because if it is on DD News, it is the truth!”

While our values remain the same, we are now available in a new avatar. Get ready for a news journey like never before.. Experience the all-new DD News!

We have the courage to put:

Accuracy over speed
Facts over claims
Truth over sensationalism

Because if it is on DD News, it… pic.twitter.com/YH230pGBKs

— DD News (@DDNewslive) April 16, 2024

Expressing disapproval, Jawhar Sircar, former CEO of Prasar Bharati and a Member of Parliament representing the Trinamool Congress, lamented the perceived "saffronisation" of the logo, viewing it as a political move.

“As ex CEO of Prasar Bharati it hurts to see the saffronisation of Doordarshan’s logo — just before elections! It will influence voters, by overlaying the colour one religion and Sangh parivar colour with a ‘neutral’ Public Broadcaster and a biassed Govt/Regime,” he wrote on X.

As ex CEO of Prasar Bharati it hurts to see the saffronisation of Doordarshan’s logo
— just before elections!
It will influence voters, by overlaying the colour one religion and Sangh parivar colour with a ‘neutral’ Public Broadcaster and a biassed Govt/Regime! pic.twitter.com/g7m0PH9nMf

— Jawhar Sircar (@jawharsircar) April 20, 2024

In an exclusive interview with India Today TV, Congress leader Manish Tewari also condemned the move, denouncing it as part of a broader strategy to infuse saffron ideologies into governmental institutions, thereby compromising their neutrality and credibility.

However, BJP's vice-president in Andhra Pradesh defended the decision, pointing out that the original logo of Doordarshan upon its inception in 1959 bore a saffron colour. He dismissed the uproar from liberals and Congress leaders as unfounded.

“When Doordarshan was launched in 1959, it had a saffron logo. Now, as the government reintroduces the original logo, liberals and Congress are outraging over it. It's blatantly obvious they harbour hate against 'Bhagwa' and Hindus,” he wrote on X.

When #Doordarshan was launched in 1959, it had a saffron logo. Now, as the government reintroduces the original logo, liberals and #Congress are outraging over it.

It's blatantly obvious they harbor hate against 'Bhagwa' and Hindus. pic.twitter.com/yXo7ps09dJ

— Vishnu Vardhan Reddy (Modi ka Parivar) (@SVishnuReddy) April 19, 2024

Gaurav Dwivedi, the CEO of Prasar Bharati, also defended the rebranding, emphasising the aesthetic appeal of the new orange colour as a refreshing update to the channel's visual identity.