Sarathi row: Prarthana channel clarifies stand

Bhubaneswar: Odisha’s only devotional channel ‘Prarthana’ issued a clarification to all the miscommunication and rumors spread against the channel by competitors and other miscreants to malign the image of the channel.

A statement issued by the channel authorities noted "Prathana channel was started with the good intention of providing a platform for dharmic and religious discourses and to help keep alive our traditions and culture."

Like other such channels in India and elsewhere. Prarthana channel sells time slots on commercial advertisement basis to many organizations and individuals to conduct their programs. Prarthana channel itself neither controls nor promotes such programs or personalities. The payments Prarthana channel receives for such sale of time-slots are transparent, audited, declared to the concerned authorities and all taxes paid, the statement said adding further that it is not possible for Prarthana channel to conduct background checks of parties to whom it sells advertising time-slots (& in fact, no publication or media can do so, whether the advertisers are religious figures, or educational institutes, or housing builders. Or anyone else who may later on be found to be fraudulent)

The channel authorities further stated that Prarthana channel had no link with “Sarathi baba” alias Santosh Roul except as a media and an advertiser. He had taken time-slots on the channel on the standard terms and conditions for all other advertisers. He had taken advertising time-slots for his programs on Prarthana channel for past 5 years, but his ashrams had been established for nearly 25 years and (Prarthana channel used to receive lot of public feedback requesting his telecasts)

Within 24 hours of the shocking revelations about him, Prarthana channel stopped his program, Thereafter we have stopped all such programs (though no complaints have been received about any other program) while conducting a review of our policies, added authorities.

While we review our policies regarding advertising time-slots for prabachanas & discourses, Prarthana channel continues to provide a platform for other dharmic and cultural programs, including showcasing the rituals and events of Odisha’s many ancient and famous temples, maintained the authorities of the channel.

Prarthana channel has always conducted itself transparently, ethically, and professionally and will continue to do so, the channel said.