Radio channel Red FM was recently in the dock for allegedly airing racist remarks against the Indian Idol talent show winner, Prashant Tamang. The channel was issued a show cause notice after a radio jockey reportedly made disparaging remarks against the Gorkha community, while referring to Tamang. The remarks sparked violence and led to unrest in Darjeeling, Siliguri and Kalimpong, resulting in the imposition of a curfew in these towns.

According to a Prasar Bharti report, the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) agreed to ban the FM channel for seven days following an appeal by the Information and Broadcasting (I&B) ministry.

"It is ordered that the respondent (I&B Ministry) will be free to proceed with the show cause notice and take whatever decision it feels proper or necessary in the facts and circumstances of the case," TDSAT Chairman, Justice Arun Kumar, said while hearing a plea by the radio channel.

"It is ordered that the respondent (I&B Ministry) will be free to proceed with the show cause notice and take whatever decision it feels proper or necessary in the facts and circumstances of the case," TDSAT Chairman, Justice Arun Kumar, said while hearing a plea by the radio channel.

The radio channel had rushed to the tribunal against a show cause notice issued by the ministry on 29 September.

Meanwhile, taking note of the developments, the Association of Radio Operators of India (AROI) has set up an advisory committee to formulate a self-regulatory content code for private FM radio broadcasting in India.