The Doordarshan Kendra, Agartala has vehemently refuted the allegations.
Doordarshan on Wednesday refuted allegations of blacking out Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar's Independence Day speech.
A letter issued by UK Sahoo, Head of office, Doordarshan Kendra, Agartala stated, "On August 15, 2017, Doordarshan also gave wide coverage to the Chief Minister’s Independence day programme and telecast report running to 29 minutes and 45 seconds. Out of which the Hon’ble Chief Minister’s speech coverage was for 12 minutes. This was telecast at 1900 hours."
The letter further said that there would be a repeat telecast of the programme at 1645 hours on August 16. "The allegation that Doordarshan Kenra, Agartala blacked out the Chief Minister on Independence day is totally incorrect and is vehemently refuted," the letter read.
Earlier, Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar had alleged that Doordarshan and All India Radio (AIR) refused to broadcast his Independence Day address unless he "reshaped" it and termed it as an "undemocratic, autocratic and intolerant step".
A Tripura government press statement alleged that Doordarshan and AIR had recorded Sarkar's speech on August 12, but the Chief Minister's office was later informed through a letter that his speech would not be broadcast unless he "reshaped it".
The letter purportedly said, "The message of the Chief Minister was closely examined by competent authority. In view of the sanctity of the occasion, the broadcast code and responsibility of the public broadcaster it is not possible to telecast it in the present format."
"However, Doordarshan/Prasar Bharati will be happy if the chief minister agrees to reshape the content making it suitable to the solemnity of the occasion and sentiment of the people," it purportedly said.
The CMO statement claimed, "The chief minister clearly stated that he would not change a single word and described it as unprecedented, undemocratic, autocratic and intolerant step."
(With Agency inputs)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Manik Sarkar")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}