Manorama News’ popular political satire ‘Thiruva Ethirva’ has landed itself in a controversy. The BJP has alleged that the programme slandered senior BJP leader, Kummanam Rajasekharan, who is now the governor of Mizoram.
In a letter to the Chief Secretary of Mizoram, State BJP General MT Ramesh stated that the show’s presenter made slanderous remarks against the “Honorable Governor of the State,” in the episode aired on May 29th, the day of his swearing-in.
“The said programme showed visuals of Sri Kummanam Rajasekharan and that of Sri Amit Shah, National President BJP, attending press conferences; and a Malayalam audio clip is played in synchronization with the video of Sri Amit Shah, which would make it appear to the viewer as if Shri Amit Shah is uttering the words “Every dog has a day" which is repeated again in Malayalam as Ella Nayinde Makkalkum oru divasam undu referring to Shri Kummanam Rajasekharan as “the dog” and his appointment as 'the day',” the letter stated.
The letter further goes on to state that by presenting these audio visuals in sync, the presenter TK Saneesh has made indecent and distatsteful innuendos ridiculing the Governor of Mizoram. The broadcasting of such content, the letter further adds, is slanderous especially when it has been aired after the swearing-in of Kummanam to the “high constitutional post o Governor of a State in the Union of India.” It disregards the the constitution and laws of the land and even attempts to lower the dignity of the governor, the letter stated.
Thiruva Ethirva is Manorama’s popular political satire show which aims to make fun of the political events of the state. The show regularly satirizes political leaders in the state, including CM Pinarayi Vijayan and other senior cabinet leaders.
The letter seeks action against those involved in the show, Johny Lukkose, News Director of Manorama, Romy Mathew, Senior Co-ordinating editor of Manorama news and TK Saneesh, Producer and anchor of Thiruva Ethirva.
Prior to this, Manorama news was enmeshed in another controversy, again in connection with Kummanam’s appointment as Governor of Mizoram.
While breaking the news of Kummanam's elevation as Governor, the channel ran a headline that said, "Kummanam is governor (not a troll message)".
The BJP and many viewers took to social media questioning the channel. The channel later came forward and stated that the 'clarification' in the bracket was made to tell viewers that the BJP leader had actually been appointed to the post, and that this was not a troll. It stated that there were a lot of jokes and memes doing the rounds on social media about Kummanam becoming a Governor.