The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) led Punjab government banned all the Zee media channels in the state on Tuesday. Zee Media has allegedly compared the situation to the "state of emergency".

Bhagwant Mann the Chief Minister of Punjab has not yet issued any statement on the matter. According to Zee media, the government has not issued any formal letter regarding the ban.

Controversy Surrounding Ban on Zee Media Channels Sparks Outcry in Punjab:

According to a report, Zee News has claimed that the ban was imposed after Zee criticised the government. "The Mann government's action comes amidst our coverage of the Punjab Lok Sabha elections where we raised the issues of the people and highlighted the shortcomings of the government," as reported by Zee News on their web portal.

Former Chief Minister of Punjab Captain Amarinder Singh called this move the "Murder of Democracy."

Zee media channels
Image Source: Wikipedia

While speaking to Zee, BJP leader Jawahar Yadav said, “It is clear that media is not allowed to show the truth in Punjab without the approval of Aam Aadmi Party-led state government.” He took a jab at critics who accused the media of being "Godi Media" and urged them to come forward to express their views on the ban of Zee media channels.

The AAP government in Punjab is already facing backlash from the public after BJP’s Tajinder Bagga released a video of AAP’s minister Balkar Singh sexually exploiting a 21-year female job over a video call. The video surfaced on Monday 27 May.

Punjab will host polling on 1st June 2024, which is the last phase of polling in General Elections. The result will be announced on 4th June.

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