By Raqib Hameed Naik, TwoCircles.net
New Delhi: Asian Paints is reported to have withdrawn its sponsorship to the controversial program “Fateh ka Fatwa” which is aired to Zee Television after an online campaign started by concerned people gathered momentum on social media.
The petition started by Mehdi Hasan Aini called the programme notoriously partisan and biased.
“At times, it can even be considered offensive and prejudicial. And this program disturbing communal harmony of Indian society. And also making fun of one sect of society. Zee News is helping to further the social divide amongst the citizens of the India,” reads the petition, which was signed by 4,449 people.
According to a news report published on Caravan Daily, Asian Paints contacted the petitioner and requested him to withdraw the online petition saying it would call off its support to the programme. The petitioner, however, told the company that the petition would continue until the advert is not officially removed.
“The last episode of the programme did not have Asian Paints advertisement,“ reads the Caravan report.
Meanwhile, other concerned Muslims have started another petition on Change.org addressed to the Chief Justice of India, calling for a ban on the program.
The petition, started by Mohammed Hisham, says, “Muslim community of India are very hurt by the unnecessary publicity given to this enemy of Islam in the name of Islam. We Indian Muslims demand immediate ban on Tarek Fatah from speaking on Islamic issues and should be immediately deported back to his country where he came from,” reads the petition.
“Tarek Fatah should be immediately banned from speaking about Islam and booked under law for hurting the religious sentiments of Indian Muslims and should also be deported from India,” petition adds.
The petition has received over 600 signatures till the filing of this story.