As Doordarshan Logo Turns Saffron, Opposition Sees Red

New Delhi: Doordarshan’s historic flagship logo has changed from red to saffron.

“While our values remain the same, we are now available in a new avatar… Get ready for a news journey like never before.. Experience the all-new DD News!” DD News made the announcement its official X handle earlier this week.

The choice of new colour by the National broadcaster has sparked a row, with the Opposition seeing red over the Central government’s decision.

Former CEO of Prasar Bharati (DD, AIR), Jawhar Sircar, who was nominated to the Rajya Sabha on a Trinamool Congress ticket in 2021, said he was appalled to see ‘saffronisation’ of the National broadcaster.

“National broadcaster Doordarshan colours its historic flagship logo in saffron! As its ex-CEO, I have been watching its saffronisation with alarm and feel — it’s not Prasar Bharati any more — it’s Prachar Bharati!” Sircar wrote on X.

Senior Congress leader Manish Tewari slammed the Central government.

“This is an attempt on the part of the government to saffronise and capture the government institutions. The said move clearly undermines the neutrality and credibility of India’s public broadcaster,” the former Union Information & Broadcasting Minister told India Today.

Prasar Bharti CEO Gaurav Dwivedi defended the decision, saying that the new logo is a catchy orange colour, and a change of visual aesthetic.

“The colour is orange, not saffron… It is not just the logo that we have changed, the entire look and feel has been upgraded. It is incorrect and unfortunate that people are reading more into this. We were working on changing the look and feel of DD for the past six to eight months,” Dwivedi said.

Over the years, Doordarshan has changed its logo colour from blue to yellow to red. The two petals and globe at the centre of the logo have, however, remained the same.