Gorkhas protests Red FM RJ's remarks on Prashant Tamang

Guwahati, Oct 3: Students of the Gorkha community here today organised a rally to protest the alleged derogatory remarks on Indian Idol-3 Prashant Tamang by a Red FM Radio Jockey (RJ).

The Nepali community, under the banner of the All Assam Gorkha Students' Union (AAGSU), submitted a memorandum to President Pratibha Patil and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, through the Kamrup deputy commissioner.

AAGSU president Bhaskar Dahal said, ''We demand immediate cancellation of Red FM's license and its closure.'' Stating that the Gorkha community had laid down their lives for the country, he said, ''The government should be more prompt in punishing the erring radio station.'' Remarks on the Nepali origins of Prashant by RJ Nitin had sparked tension in several parts of the North East.

Curfew had to be enforced in the North Bengal town of Siliguri as the protesting Gorkha community members went on a rampage.

Meanwhile, the Information and Broadcasting Ministry today recommended a seven-day ban on Red FM but the ban would be subject to the outcome of the channel's appeal against the notice tomorrow.

UNI