'Shocked At Sudden Saffronisation': Mamata Reacts To Doordarshan Logo Revamp, BJP Calls It 'Homecoming'

Mamata Banerjee raised questions about the Election Commission of India's decision to allow such a "crude, pro-Saffron violation of the Model Code of Conduct" during the Lok Sabha elections.

Mamata Banerjee described the move as "absolutely unethical" and "grossly illegal", particularly during the ongoing Lok Sabha elections.

New Delhi: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed shock on Saturday regarding what she termed as "saffronisation" of the Doordarshan logo following the change of its colour to orange by the government-owned broadcaster Prasar Bharati.

The Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo described the move as "absolutely unethical" and "grossly illegal", particularly during the ongoing Lok Sabha elections.

Taking to X, she wrote, “I am shocked at the sudden saffronisation and change of colour of our Doordarshan logo when the national elections are taking place across the country! It is absolutely unethical, grossly illegal, and speaks loudly of the pro-BJP bias of the national public broadcaster!”

I am shocked at the sudden saffronisation and change of colour of our Doordarshan logo when the national elections are taking place across the country! It is absolutely unethical, grossly illegal, and speaks loudly of the pro-BJP bias of the national public broadcaster!

How… pic.twitter.com/3JnfDhR3Ca

— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) April 20, 2024

Banerjee also raised questions about the Election Commission of India's decision to allow such a "crude, pro-Saffron violation of the Model Code of Conduct" during the electoral process. She urged the poll body to promptly reverse the change and restore the original blue colour of the logo.

“How could the Election Commission of India allow this crude, pro-Saffron violation of the Model Code of Conduct when the people are in the electoral mode?! ECI must immediately stop it and reverse the change to go back to the original blue colour of the logo of Doordarshan!” she added.

Former CEO of Prasar Bharati and Trinamool Congress MP, Jawhar Sircar, also expressed his disapproval, lamenting the "saffronisation" of the logo and termed it as a political move.

Taking to X, he wrote, “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.”

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

However, Amit Malviya, the head of BJP's IT cell, dismissed Banerjee’s allegation, stating that the saffron logo had been “tested way back in 1982” and represents a “homecoming” for the national broadcaster.

“Thanks for not abusing. Your language off late has been crass and disgusting. The prospect of losing election is showing. On Doordarshan’s saffron colour - it was tested way back in 1982. So, don’t be shocked and find out who changed it to blue. This is nothing but home coming for the national broadcaster,” Malviya posted on X.

Thanks for not abusing. Your language off late has been crass and disgusting. The prospect of losing election is showing.

On Doordarshan’s saffron colour - it was tested way back in 1982. So, don’t be shocked and find out who changed it to blue.

This is nothing but home coming… https://t.co/0PDQQe9Fbj pic.twitter.com/UzfBsrkigo

— Amit Malviya (मोदी का परिवार) (@amitmalviya) April 20, 2024

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