Launched 1 September 2010 Replaced JML Lifestyle Sky Channel 836 | Owned by Sangat Trust Website sangattelevision.org Astra 2F 12522 V 22000 5/6 | |
Sangat Television is a Sikh lifestyle channel produced and wholly owned by Sangat Trust, a UK charity. The station commenced broadcasting on 1 September 2010, as part of a two-week test phase.
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Description
Sangat TV is owned by Sangat Trust, a registered charity backed by gurdwaras from the UK and from other individuals. The channel is an open platform for the Sikh sangat to express their views independently. Programming includes educational material on the Sikh gurus and Guru Granth Sahib.
West Midlands riots
Sangat TV came into prominence during the West Midlands riots of August 2011. The presenter Upinder Randhawa notably broadcast live from the streets of Birmingham from the first day of rioting in the area, Monday 8 August 2011, to provide accurate, live information and broadcasts. Coverage was extended to the surrounding areas such as West Bromwich and Wolverhampton the following night. The channel's coverage was used by BBC News, ITN and Sky News as well as international stations such as CNN, Fox News and NDTV 24x7 to show what was happening in the area.
This coverage included sequences of guerrilla journalism, most notably footage of the reporting team transporting a police officer in their vehicle in pursuit of looters while live on air. The popularity of the coverage led to Sangat TV presenter Upinder Randhawa's Twitter following jumping from 600 users to about 4,000 users in one night, as well as having over 4,000 followers to a fan page on Facebook called "Upinder Randhawa from Sangat TV is a Legend". Prime Minister David Cameron hailed Sangat TV's contribution as "an example of a media company's commitment to social responsibility". On 10 August 2011, Ofcom said it had received one complaint about the previous night's coverage of the riots, in relation to alleged incitement to violence over comments urging people to get out on the streets and protect their property.
Sangat TV was fined £30,000 over a debate in which guests supported an assassination attempt on a former Indian Army General. Kuldip Singh Brar , who lead the army attack on Akal Takht in Operation Blue Star in June 1984.