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Andhra Pradesh high court allows political ads on TV
MUMBAI: Political parties need not resort to surrogate advertising anymore.
The Andhra Pradesh high court this morning struck down a rule under the Cable Network Regulation Act that bars political advertisements on electronic media, maintaining it discriminated between the print and electronic media. The HC also said it was violative of the right to freedom of trade and business.
An ETV spokesperson welcomed the judgement and said the network’s marketing department would now be able to work on getting political parties’ ads back on air. The order was passed by Chief Justice Devender Gupta and Justice Rohini based on a petition filed by Gemini Television Network, ETV and Maa TV which challenged rule 7 (3) of the Act invoked by the Information and Broadcasting Ministry and Election Commission to ban telecast of political advertisements, say reports.
Channel executives that indiantelevision.com spoke to put the additional ad spend that was expected to be released by the court order onto television as anywhere between Rs 50 million and Rs 80 million at the upper limit.
Whether that rather conservative spend estimate ramps up will depend largely on the instructions the two key political parties in the election fray – the BJP and Congress – send out to their respective media agencies. The BJP’s media duties are being managed by the Delhi-based Crayon’s headed by Kunal Lalani, while Leo Burnett affiliate Orchard is handling the Congress campaign.
The Andhra High Court, meanwhile, which had last week adjourned the hearing of the case till today, observed that the order amounted to discrimination between the two media and was also violative of the right to freedom of trade and business, reports said.
According to a PTI report, the government can only impose “reasonable restrictions” under Article 19 (2) of the constitution and can stop telecast of programmes only if they threaten national security or flare up communal violence. The court observed that the order of the I&B and EC did come under the purview of Article 19 (2). It also agreed with the petitioner’s argument that the order amounted to discriminating between the print and electronic media.
ETV, MAA TV, Gemini Television filed four writ petitions and they complained that this violates the fundamental rights to do business. The bench made it clear that the case will be heard on 23rd and directed the Central Government to file counter affidavit.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
