ISLAMABAD: The cable operators have said that Delhi-based communal media, motivated by anti-Islam and anti-Pakistan politics of Hindutva, is behind the closure of Pakistani and religious channels in the territory.
A group of cable operators told Srinagar-based Kashmir Reader, "We pulled down the Pakistani and the religious channels after the ban. We were shocked when it appeared in a section of Delhi-based media that everything which happened in Kashmir was due to these channels," KMS reported.
The operators said that they were showing all the religious channels belonging to every faith, which includes Hinduism, Islam, Sikhism and others.
"The media talks of only Islamic channels. Is not this an inherent bias of the people who report it," operators said. "It was simply communally-motivated reporting in the media to strengthen the Hindutva agenda in Kashmir."
The cable operators said Pakistani channels were famous in Kashmir, both those airing soap operas and those disseminating news.
"The Pakistani news channels dealt with news of their own country. Kashmiri happenings hardly featured on the channels," the operators said.
The operators said pulling the channels off air has put their livelihood in danger.
"There are 15,000 people associated with this profession in Kashmir," the operators said. "The tone of the reporters affiliated with the Delhi media is such that as if we are terrorists."
The ban on channels has come after the authorities disallowed 22 social media sites in Kashmir. (APP)