NHRC asks Chennai Police to submit report about attack on Tamil news channel

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken suo motu cognizance of media reports that the office of a Tamil news channel, 'Purthiya Thalaimurai' was attacked by protestors against the channel's decision to telecast a controversial show debating the relevance of wearing the "thaali" or "mangalsutra" by women who were either tortured or abandoned by their husbands.

The NHRC has asked the Police Commissioner, Chennai, to direct an inquiry into the incident and submit a report within six weeks.

Reportedly, the protests started when some clippings of the programme were shown in the promos on March 11.

The protestors alleged that the programme in the name of the freedom of expression was made to hurt the religious sentiments and asked whether the same channel would discuss the relevance of 'purdah' for Muslim women or the cross of Christian nuns.

According to media reports, on February 15, the protesters outside the office of the channel attacked a cameraman and broke his equipment.

Allegedly, a Deputy Commissioner and Assistant Commissioner of Police, who arrived on the spot, said that why the channel expected security when it was showing a controversial programme.

However, ten persons belonging to Hindu Munnani were later on arrested.

The consortium of journalists of India has condemned the attack.