BOL TV Faces Backlash For Promoting Sectarianism During Ramzan Transmission

Private channel BOL TV has been accused of promoting sectarianism on national television during its Ramzan transmission. People are severely criticising the channel using the hashtag #BolPromotingSectarianism.

BOL Entertainment’s program Ramzan Mein Bol’s host Kiran Naz discussed religious issues on her show, due to which an aggressive debate among the clerics representing different schools of thoughts of Islam started.

The Sunni clerics forced a Shia cleric Allama Zameer Akhter Zaqvi to clarify his stance on the act of insulting of Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) companion Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiq. After a heated debate, Zameer Naqvi left the show during the transmission.

People on Twitter are requesting Pakistan Electronic Media Regulation Authority (PEMRA) to take strict action against the private channel for spewing sectarianism during the holy month of Ramzan.

A Twitter user said, “Whatever happened on BOL TV, was awful, in such a blessed month, clerics should have been hearing out the issues of people and guiding them as per shariah. But BOL literally spoiled that vibe by igniting sectarian argument.”

Whatever happened on BOL TV, was awful, in such a blessed month, clerics should have been hearing out the issues of people and guiding them as per shariah.
But BOL literally spoiled that vibe by igniting sectarian argument.

What a shame!!

#BolPromotingSectarianism pic.twitter.com/7kEwGaQ0QQ

— Al-Kausar 🌸 (@K_Zaidii) May 19, 2020

Hello! @reportpemra, just making sure that you guys are back in your office(s) after lockdown & hopefully you’ll take notice of what’s going on these so called Ramzan Transmission(s).
A bit head start, Sectarianism & Alcohol advertisements.#BolPromotingsectarianism pic.twitter.com/y2h3UsaBHM

— حیدر (@Haider_Zaidi9) May 19, 2020

What are apparently seen as bringing together Shia and Sunni scholars to talk is not a show of Unity or for Islam but an attempt to sensationalizing issues for capitalist gain#BOLpromotingSectarianism pic.twitter.com/0TQhNwuEed

— FB lety jaen sahab (@ifb45) May 19, 2020

I strongly condemn the host Kiran Naz, the show Ramzan men Bol and Bol television for using emotional tactics to get high ratings compromising security of a guest that belongs to an already persecuted community.#BolPromotingsectarianism pic.twitter.com/hatkSgOvr9

— Sajeel Syed (@sajeel313) May 19, 2020

A social media user tweeted, “BOL news is promoting sectarianism. Such mindset will never let people of this country to be united like a nation. To be a nation, first avoid sectarianism.”

BOL news is promoting sectarianism. such mindset will never let people of this country to be united like a nation. to be a nation, 1st avoid sectarianism
#BolPromotingsectarianism pic.twitter.com/6JTatk7tH5

— Syeda Laila Jaffri 🇵🇰 (@Mohtermalaila) May 19, 2020

Everyone expects that at least our media will spread positivity in society but just look at this channel and transmission! Spreading nothing but negativity, sectarianism and hate in the society and even in this time when we all have to work unitedly.#BolPromotingsectarianism pic.twitter.com/mXTYs2TGo7

— Tanishah (@AnaKaneez14) May 19, 2020

It was a deliberate attack , they all gang up against one . That's harassment, terrorism and one of them openly gave life threats to The one they were all gang up against . @kirannazsamaa should been trailed for inciting and fuelling the situation.#BOLPromotingSectarianism pic.twitter.com/K2jwicqZiY

— Sayed Alamdar Naqvi (@alamdarnaqvi5) May 19, 2020

Another user asked the authorities to ban BOL Network for raising a conflict between Shia and Sunni clerics just for the sake of ‘ratings’.

It is disappointing how BOL channel anchors are promoting sectarianism for ratings and increasing conflicts between Shia/Sunni.
BOL should be banned ❌#BOLPromotingSectarianism pic.twitter.com/imL4ddDYxr

— Maheen (@maheenrizvii) May 19, 2020