Viacom 18 responds to Ram Siya Ke Luv Kush controversy

Viacom 18 has issued a statement saying that it is not their intention to hurt sentiments of any particular group through their TV show Ram Siya Ke Luv Kush.

Mumbai: Television show Ram Siya Ke Luv Kush has raged controversy on grounds of distortion of religious information. Recently, Viacom 18 issued a statement saying that they didn't intend to hurt sentiments of any particular group.

A Viacom18 spokesperson said in a statement issued on September 14, "Ramayana is an epic tale that extols quintessentially Indian values through its nuanced storytelling. 'Ram Siya Ke Luv Kush' is our effort to bring to fore this epic through a lens that had not been explored before and thus make it topical in today's day and age across all generations.

"The show draws from various texts, books and scriptures based on Ramayan and it is never our intention to hurt sentiments of any particular group."

"We are closely working with the group and taking their feedback on board. We stay committed to working together to make this a show that Indians across geographies and generations enjoy uninhibited," added the spokesperson.

READ | Punjab bans 'Ram Siya Ke Luv-Kush' serial

The clarification statement comes after the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting issued a show-cause notice to Colors TV on September 11.

The I&B accused the makers of spreading distorted religious information and also harming the image of Mahrishi Valmiki, causing hurt to their religious sentiments through Ram Siya Ke Luv Kush.

Singer-turned-politician Hans Raj Hans has also asked Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar to impose a ban on the telecast of the television series for allegedly hurting the religious sentiments of the Valmiki community.

The Valmiki community had earlier staged a protest in Punjab during which a youth was shot at but was later operated upon.

With inputs from IANS.