New Delhi : The Broadcast regulatory authority Broadcast Content Complaints Council (BCCC), on Friday directed Zee TV’s Zindagi not to re-telecast its controversial Pakistani soap ‘Waqt ne kiya kya haseen sitam’, on grounds that it portrayed the issue of Partition “insensitively” and as a “mistake.”
The decision comes following complaints from viewers that the serial ‘Waqt ne kiya kya haseen sitam’ was “anti-national” with others even apprehending communal unrest. The soap on Zee Group’s Hindi entertainment channel Zindagi was aired in April 2015. Subsequently, BCCC has issued a notice to Zindagi on 10th May, seeking explanation on the same.
When contacted BCCC chairperson Justice Mukul Mudgal said, “We have taken some action on the issue.”
Speaking on the issue, former chairperson of the National Commission for Minorities and BCCC member Wajahat Habibullah said, “We have asked the channel not to re-telecast the serial. We felt that it dealt with a sensitive issue like Partition in an insensitive manner and it could offend the sensibilities of many viewers.”
He added, “The soap ‘Waqt ne kiya kya haseen sitam’ shows the Partition as a mistake. We felt that the Partition had been agreed on by both sides and it was best to leave it at that and concentrate on important things like building bridges between the two countries.”
A detailed order is likely in a few days. The decision was taken after Zindagi executives were given a hearing on Friday by the BCCC panel including eminent personalities like actor Shabana Azmi besides Habibullah.
‘Waqt ne kiya kya haseen sitam’ is a love story in the backdrop of Partition based on author Razia Butt’s book “Bano”. The serial stars Pakistani actors Fawwad Khan and Sanam Baloch as Bano. Viewers had complained that Sikhs and Hindus are demonized as having perpetrated atrocities on Muslims and the narrative was purely from a Pakistani point of view.
Following complaints to BCCC and the information and broadcasting ministry, the Council had issued a notice seeking an explanation from Zindagi channel.
When contacted Zindagi executives did not offer any comment. They had earlier stressed that the soap had been modified keeping in view Indian broadcast guidelines.
