BTV blacklists BNP deputy

The BTV authorities in a recent letter conveyed the decision to ER Media, owned by Mahi, without assigning any reason several days after the first episode of the 'Ikra' was aired as part of his 'Anandaghanta' magazine programme getting approval from the preview committee.

Mahi and his wife Ashfah Haque Lopa jointly launched 'Anandaghanta' nearly two years ago.

Mahi was not immediately available for comments, but ER Media officials said they believed 'Ikra' earned the wrath of influential religious hardliners as it tried to project Islamic thoughts against intolerance and fanaticism, basing on the holy Quran.

Lopa questioned the justification of BTV's decision after the state-run media accepted the revenue for the telecast of the programme.

Four of the planned 11 episodes of the 'Ikra' were prepared for telecast bringing together academics, social workers, women representatives and journalists along with presenters of Islamic programmes in different television channels.

ER Media sources said the BTV decision coincided with another letter received by the production house from Arkanullah Haruni, a fist episode discussant of the 'Ikra'.

Haruni alleged that he was personally "affected" by appearing as a discussant and asked the ER Media not to call him again in any of their programmes.