Doordarshan, the autonomous public broadcaster, has changed the colour of its logo from red to a distinct orange shade, sparking criticism from the opposition camp. DD News, the English news channel of Doordarshan, revealed the logo while sharing a new promotional video on X recently.We are now accessible in a new avatar, but our principles don’t change. “Prepare yourself for an unparalleled news adventure…Discover the brand-new DD News “The caption said.

Online users criticised the new logo, pointing out that it was saffron and that the change was made just before elections. Jawhar Sircar, the former head of Doordarshan’s parent company and a Trinamool MP, also expressed his pain at the “saffronization” of Doordarshan’s logo in the run-up to elections.

“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,” he said in an online post.

“It’s quite inappropriate to see the national broadcaster has chosen the color saffron for its branding,” he stated in a video expressing his opposition. In addition, he declared that the action was against the Model Code of Conduct, a set of guidelines put in place ahead of elections to guarantee that all candidates have an equal opportunity to compete.

In contrast to Mr. Sircar, the current Prasar Bharati boss defended the decision, citing its importance for aesthetic reasons. It was orange, he insisted as well.