Mumbai: Popular Hindi sitcom Bhabhiji Ghar Par Hain has landed in trouble after the Election Commission showcased its producers on charges of peddling government schemes during the elections.
The EC has also served a notice on the producers of Tujhse Hai Raabta after the Opposition Congress claimed that both serials were engaged in promotion of Ujjwala, Swachch Bharat Abhiyan and Mudra loan through the protagonists of the shows.
In Bhabhiji…, a character is shown holding forth on Swachchta when another character litters the road. He is shown praising the prime minister without naming him. In another scene, a wife educates her husband about the Ujjwala scheme or free LPG connections when her husband tells her that food cooked on chulha would taste better.
In the other serial, Tujhse…, a character narrates how a loan of Rs 10 lakh can be availed under the Mudra scheme.
“We have received a complaint that ZEE TV and &TV were using their serials to campaign for the Centre’s schemes and hence violating the model code of conduct. We have issued showcause notices to producers of the serials. They will reply within 24 hours. Further action will be taken after receiving their reply,” additional electoral officer of Maharashtra, Dilip Shinde, said.
The ZEE group, which owes both the channels, defended the content saying it was in “public interest”, Mumbai Mirror reported.
“The mention of certain government schemes and initiatives in some of the episodes of the TV shows was a creative call taken purely in the interest of the public,” a ZEE group spokesperson said.
