Sadhu Samaj flays Invesco's takeover bid of ZEEL, hails Dr Subhash Chandra's service to religion, nation

New Delhi: Amid reports of Invesco’s bid to take over Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited (ZEEL), India’s Sadhu Samaj and several religious and social organisations have come forward to express serious reservations on the issue.

The Sadhu Samaj clearly stated that the control of the company should remain with founder Subhash Chandra and his family, who have taken care of the numerous television channels for over two decades.

The religious body has appealed to the government, the concerned regulatory institutions such as NCLT and NCLAT, Invesco, the media company behind this indirect bid, Subhash Chandra's family, and the Zee shareholders to sit down and find an amicable solution to this issue.

It further added that the same Zee management, which has faith of crores of viewers, should be allowed to continue as it would be in the interest of everyone.“If this does not happen, we all will appeal in the court of the Almighty, and pray for the proper judgment,” the group said in a statement.

The group alleged that Invesco seems to be working in a non-transparent manner and it is unclear in whose hands the management will go if they are successful in their bid.

The Sadhu Samaj hailed Subhash Chandra’s decades of service to the nation by broadcasting quality programmes and content.

The group recalled that it was Zee that broadcast “Jagran” programme that focused on religious content. Only after this, several other programmes and channels were launched which help impart religious content.

“In the last 29 years, the country has witnessed how Zee has brought the issues of national and social interest to the viewers,” the religious body said.