BJP UK Head's TV Licenses Revoked! Shocking Ofcom Decision!

The airwaves just got a little quieter across parts of Europe. British media regulator Ofcom has taken the rather drastic step of revoking the TV licenses for two channels, MATV National and MATV Music. Both were held by Middlesex Broadcasting Corporation Limited, but the real story lies beneath the surface, involving political affiliations and questions of editorial control.

BJP UK Head's TV Licenses Revoked! Shocking Ofcom ...

At the heart of the matter is Kuldeep Shekhawat, a director at MATV Broadcasting Ltd, and also, crucially, the president of Overseas Friends of BJP (UK) – the UK arm of India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party. Ofcom's investigation concluded that, despite Middlesex Broadcasting Corporation Limited technically holding the license, MATV Broadcasting Ltd, with Shekhawat at the helm (at least partially), was the one actually calling the shots editorially. This is a big no-no in the UK broadcasting rulebook, where the license holder must have ultimate control.

MATV National was, until recently, a fixture on Sky channel 709, broadcasting news and entertainment in Indian languages and English, primarily aimed at the South Asian diaspora across Europe. MATV Music, on the other hand, never actually got off the ground and never commenced broadcasting, though it did possess a license. Operating a TV service without a valid license in the UK is not just a slap on the wrist; it's a criminal offense.

The investigation, which began in August 2024, revealed that Middlesex Broadcasting Corporation Limited seemingly lacked the necessary editorial oversight, effectively making MATV Broadcasting Ltd the true operator. This situation raised red flags for Ofcom, especially given Shekhawat's role with the Overseas Friends of BJP (UK). They are concerned about potential political influence creeping into the broadcaster's output. Fair enough, you might think.

Adding another layer of complexity, Shekhawat previously held a substantial 90% stake in MATV Broadcasting, serving as its sole director until July 2025. His wife, Alpana, now holds a 65% share. And here's the kicker: Ofcom has indicated that they would likely reject any future application to transfer the licenses to MATV Broadcasting, deeming them a "disqualified person" due to Shekhawat's political involvement. Ouch.

UK regulations are pretty clear on this: individuals holding positions within organizations with primarily political objectives aren't eligible to hold a TV license. Ofcom seems convinced that Overseas Friends of BJP (UK) falls squarely into this category, given Shekhawat's long tenure as president since 2018. He, however, claims that Ofcom's decision is solely based on his political background, and points out that his wife is now the director and majority shareholder. Only time will tell how this plays out, but for now, MATV National is off the air.