AIR, DD to focus on Balochistan

 India’s public broadcasters have moved in to focus on Balochistan after Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently made references to the people of this restive province of Pakistan facing “atrocities,” stressing on the need to expose the human rights violations in the region.

In a swift response, while the state-run DD News recently sent a team to Geneva for an interview of rebel Baloch leader Nawab Brahumdagh Khan Bugti and aired it on the channel, the All India Radio (AIR) is now considering increasing the duration of Balochi language news bulleting.

The AIR started Baloch language radio service in 1974 to air a mix of programmes including a new bulletin, which is currently of 10 minute duration. “We are considering increasing the duration of the news bulletin,” a Prasar Bharati Official said.

The Balch language radio service is handled by the AIR’s External Services Division (ESD), which covers over 108 countries with airing of various programmes in 15 foreign languages including Baloch.

“Other than increasing the duration of the news bulletins, airing of other types of programmes on current affairs and news in Baloch radio service is also being discussed,” the official added. While addressing the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort on Independence Day, Modi on August 15 made reference to the situations in Balochistan, drawing a sharp reaction from Pakistan.

Reacting to the prime minister’s reference to Balochistan in his Independence Day speech, Pakistan charged Modi with “crossing a red line.”

At an all party meeting held in Kashmir recently, Modi was reported to have suggested that the time had come to expose Pakistan’s brutalities in Balochistan and  Pak-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

Modi also reportedly sought the Ministry of External Affairs to contact expats from PoK to gather information about the “pitiable conditions” in the region and apprise the global community.