Once bitten, twice shy—but Zee Tamil seems not to have learnt any lessons from the past. In the latest incident, the channel has received a show-cause notice from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting a few days ago.
The Ministry issued the notice to Zee Tamil over alleged disrespect towards Hindu deities and religious figures in its reality show Dance Jodi Dance, aired on July 12, 2025.
Indha aatam vera level-uu🤩💃
Dance Jodi Dance Reloaded 3 | Celebration Round | Sat & Sun 8.30PM.#DanceJodiDanceReloaded3 #DanceJodiDance #DJD #Sneha #BabaBaskar #VaralaxmiSarathkumar #Manimegalai #RJVijay #ZeeTamilPromo #ZeeTamil pic.twitter.com/QP91OgTIEP— Zee Tamil (@ZeeTamil) July 11, 2025
The Ministry has asked the channel to respond within seven days, explaining the content in question. It cited a violation of Rule 6(1)(c) of the Programme Code under the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1994, which prohibits content that attacks religious communities, shows contempt for religious beliefs, or promotes communal disharmony.
on 12.7.25 at 9 pm in a dance program on Zee Tamil TV,Hindu gods Muruga, Vinayagar, Anjaneya, Shiva and a woman dancing in a half-dressed manner have been depicted in a manner that denigrates Hindu gods. This is a highly condemnable act. All Hindus should file a complaint against pic.twitter.com/vwxTkXTqYd
— MaruthiRajan மாருதி मारुति (@maruthivhp) July 13, 2025
Hindu Munnani State Secretary and advocate K. Kutralanathan, in a post on X, strongly criticised Zee Tamil for continuously portraying Hindu religion and deities in a disparaging and obscene manner. He said that in the episode aired on July 12, dancers wearing incomplete attire and masks of deities such as Bhagwan Murugan, Ganapathy, Hanuman, Shiva, and others, performed choreographed routines with female partners. “This was nothing but a record dance genre. The entire theme was designed to disrespect Hindu Gods, which is highly condemnable,” he said.
“Hindus should come forward to lodge complaints against the show for portraying their gods in a poor light. At the very least, they should voice their dissent on social media. We do not want to hear from those who argue that art must be respected merely as art. Action must be taken against the dancers, producers, and the channel that aired the programme.”
இது உண்மையா @ZeeTamil
12.7.25 இரவு 9மணிக்கு ஜீ தமிழ் தொலைக்காட்சியில் நடன நிகழ்ச்சி ஒன்றில்
இந்து கடவுள்கள் முருகப்பெருமான் விநாயகர் ஆஞ்சநேயர் சிவபெருமான் ஆகியோர் அரைகுறை ஆடையுடன் ஆடும் பெண்ணுடன் குத்தாட்டம் ஆடுவது போல
இந்து கடவுள்களை இழிவுபடுத்தும் வகையில்… pic.twitter.com/UMKx9F1aBY
— Dr Mouth Matters (@GanKanchi) July 14, 2025
One X user, Martuthirajan, posted: “This is the denigration of our worshipped deities. At the very least, viewers must lodge complaints against @ZeeTamil on social media. The Union Ministry @MIB_India should take immediate action against those who participated in this derogatory act.”
The denigration of our worshipped deity. At least they should register their complaints against @ZeeTamil on social media. The Union Ministry of @MIB_India should take immediate action against the people who danced in a manner that denigrates the gods that Hindus worship.
— MaruthiRajan மாருதி मारुति (@maruthivhp) July 13, 2025
Responding to public outrage, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, in its notice dated 13 July 2025, stated:
“Violation of Programme Code by Zee Tamil Channel”
“It has come to the notice of the Ministry that Zee Tamil channel broadcast a show titled ‘Dance Jodi Dance’ on 12.07.2025. The said programme contains visuals which are in violation of Rule 6(1)(c) of the Programme Code prescribed under the Cable Television (Networks) Rules, 1994. This provision states: ‘No programme should be carried in the cable service which contains attacks on religions or communities or visuals or words contemptuous of religious groups or which promote communal attitudes.’”
சிறப்பு 👌
ஹிந்து கடவுள்களை அவமதிக்கும் வகையில் நடன நிகழ்ச்சி நடத்திய Zee தமிழ் தொலைக்காட்சிக்கு, மத்திய தகவல் ஒளிபரப்புத் துறை அமைச்சகம் நோட்டிஸ். இப்படி நடவடிக்கை உடனுக்குடன் எடுத்தால் மட்டுமே இனிவரும் நாட்களில் இந்து சமய கடவுள்களை இழித்து சித்தரிக்கும் கூட்டத்திற்கு பயம்… pic.twitter.com/36dmPLZ0pI
— Annapurna Pillai – BJP Tamilnadu (@AnnapurnaPillai) July 14, 2025
The notice further stated:
“In view of the above, the channel is directed to furnish its comments regarding the alleged violation of the Programme Code within seven days from the date of issue of this communication. If no response is received within the stipulated time, it shall be presumed that the channel has no explanation and admits to the violation of Rule 6(1)(c) of the Cable Television (Networks) Rules, 1994. Accordingly, action will be initiated under the provisions of the Cable Television (Networks) Act, 1995 without further opportunity for the channel to present its case.”
This is not the first time Zee has faced public backlash, especially from the Hindu community. In 2020, following massive opposition from Hindu outfits, Zee dropped the teaser of its Tamil web series Godman. Directed by Babu Yogeswaran and starring Sonia Agarwal, Daniel Balaji, and Jayaprakash, the show was scheduled to release on June 12, 2020. However, the teaser was taken down after strong criticism. Many in the Hindu community found the dialogues and content offensive and in bad taste, particularly for the way the Brahmin community was portrayed.
Another Hinduphobia @ZEE5Tamil #Godman
What's the motive of this teaser: Divide Hindus by showing brahmins in poor light? @EsselGroup_@subhashchandraWith all those vulgar scenes and abusing brahmins, is this show a dirty game of Missionaries?
Check thread of pics:(1/3) pic.twitter.com/4xg3dJRCtd
— 🚩 Hindus Of India 🚩 (@hindusofbharat) May 27, 2020
In another instance, acting on a complaint from the Tamil Nadu BJP IT Wing, the I&B Ministry issued a notice to Zee Entertainment Enterprises in January 2022 over a reality show that allegedly featured “obnoxious” remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The notice pertained to an episode of Junior Super Star Season 4, aired on January 15, 2022, in which two children mocked the leader of a fictional country named ‘Sindhiya’—a clear allusion to PM Modi. Their skit reportedly discussed demonetisation, foreign trips, Modi’s attire, and privatisation schemes. The BJP accused the show of ridiculing the Prime Minister.
Critics argue that religion has always been a sensitive and emotional subject in Bharat. However, in recent times, under the guise of freedom of expression, rabid Hinduphobes, especially those from minority communities posing as YouTubers, producers, or social media activists, have been exploiting visual media and online platforms to depict only Hindu religion and deities negatively. The leniency shown by courts has emboldened them to continue this onslaught against Hindu traditions, culture, and faith. These individuals conspicuously avoid targeting minority religions, fully aware of the potential backlash.
Hindus and the Central Government must take stringent action, including the cancellation of broadcasting licences for repeated violations.
