Javadekar defends live telecast of RSS chief's address

Defending the live telecast of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat's address on Dussehra by Doordarshan, Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar on Sunday said the government wants to instill professionalism.

The hour-long broadcast of an RSS function for the first time by the channel on Friday had stoked a row with the Congress and Communist Party of India (Marxist) attacking the government for "misuse" of the state broadcaster. The Bharatiya Janata Party defended it, saying the RSS genuinely contributed to patriotism and always patronised a "justice to all" philosophy.

"Doordarshan is an autonomous organisation and we want to instill professionalism. Therefore, there is no interference in its functioning," Javadekar said, in reply to a question at a press conference here.

"When private channels can air live telecast of the annual speech of RSS sarsanghchalak (chief) Bhagwat, what is wrong with Doordarshan also airing it?," he asked.

Bhagwat had, at a customary Dussehra function, described Hindutva as the country's "national identity" and the "thread of unity" running through its diversities. He had also patted the Narendra Modi-led government for initiatives on national security, the economy and international relations over four months.