NBDSA Orders Aaj Tak to Edit Taj Mahal 'Hindu Temple' Broadcast for Lack of Neutrality

The News Broadcasting and Digital Standards Authority (NBDSA), chaired by Justice A.K. Sikri, on May 28, 2026, directed Aaj Tak to edit or suitably modify portions of a programme hosted by journalist Sudhir Chaudhary that claimed the Taj Mahal was originally a Hindu temple. The NBDSA found that the broadcast fell short of the standards of neutrality and impartiality prescribed under its Code of Conduct, marking a significant intervention in media self-regulation over historical claims.

The Broadcast and the Complaint

The programme in question was an episode of "Black and White" aired on November 29, 2024, which examined historical claims about several religious structures including the Sambhal Jama Masjid, Ajmer Dargah, and the Taj Mahal. The original complaint was filed in December 2024 by Indrajeet Ghorpade, who argued that the broadcast presented a one-sided historical narrative focused solely on the alleged destruction of Hindu temples by Muslim rulers. The NBDSA initially found no violation in December 2025, but upon a review application heard on March 12, 2026, the authority reconsidered its position.

Selective Use of Official Records

The NBDSA's key finding was that the broadcaster selectively relied on official records. While the programme cited Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) reports when covering claims about the Qutub Minar, it omitted similar official records when reporting on the Taj Mahal. The ASI has explicitly rejected the claim that the Taj Mahal was once a Hindu Shiva temple. By relying on ASI records for one monument but ignoring ASI findings for another, the broadcast created an appearance of scholarly rigour while advancing a claim that official archaeology does not support.

The Legal Framework: Self-Regulation in Indian Broadcasting

The NBDSA operates under the News Broadcasters and Digital Association (NBDA), which is a self-regulatory body for news channels in India. The authority's powers include directing broadcasters to edit, modify, or remove content that violates the Code of Conduct. While the NBDSA's orders are not backed by statutory enforcement in the way that orders from the Press Council of India or the Broadcasting Content Complaints Council are, member channels that have signed up to the Code are expected to comply. The direction to edit the programme, rather than take it down entirely, reflects the authority's approach of balancing editorial freedom with journalistic responsibility.

Practical Implications for Broadcasters

The decision has implications for how news channels handle claims about historical monuments and religious structures. With multiple petitions pending before various High Courts and the Supreme Court regarding the religious character of historical sites, broadcasters covering these disputes are now on notice that selective reliance on official sources, while ignoring official findings that contradict the narrative, may be treated as a violation of neutrality standards. The decision does not prohibit reporting on historical claims, but requires that such reporting present all relevant official findings, including those that contradict the narrative being advanced.

Key Takeaways

NBDSA Chairperson Justice A.K. Sikri directed Aaj Tak to edit the Taj Mahal segments of the November 2024 programme. The authority found that the broadcast failed neutrality and impartiality standards by selectively citing ASI reports for the Qutub Minar while ignoring ASI findings on the Taj Mahal. The Archaeological Survey of India has explicitly rejected the claim that the Taj Mahal was a Hindu temple. Broadcasters covering claims about historical monuments must present all relevant official findings, not just those supporting one narrative. The NBDSA initially cleared the programme in December 2025 but reversed its position on review in 2026.