UK Communications Regulator Revokes Licenses of Indian Diaspora Television Channel
The United Kingdom's communications industry regulator, Ofcom, announced on Friday that it has officially revoked both broadcasting licenses held by an Indian community television channel. The channel, which has been operated by Kuldeep Shekhawat, president of the Overseas Friends of BJP (UK), has faced regulatory scrutiny over editorial control and political disqualification concerns.
License Details and Regulatory Investigation
The revoked licenses were held by Middlesex Broadcasting Corporation Limited (MBCL) for two services: MATV National and MATV Music. MATV National operated as a satellite television service broadcasting on Sky 709, delivering content in Indian languages and English to the South Asian diaspora across Europe until Friday's revocation. MATV Music, while licensed, had never actually commenced broadcasting operations.
Under UK broadcasting regulations, a license must be held by the actual provider of the service—the person or organization exercising editorial control over programming content. In August 2024, Ofcom initiated an investigation into the control structure of both MATV services and determined that MBCL, while holding the licenses, was not the true provider. The regulator found that editorial responsibility rested instead with MATV Broadcasting Ltd, creating a violation of licensing requirements.
Operating a television service without proper licensing constitutes a criminal offense in the United Kingdom.Political Disqualification Concerns
Kuldeep Shekhawat serves as a director of MATV Broadcasting and was previously the sole director holding 90% of shares until July 2025. Currently, his wife Alpana holds 65% of the shares. Ofcom indicated it would be "minded to refuse" any application to transfer the licenses to MATV Broadcasting, citing concerns that the organization might qualify as a "disqualified person" under UK broadcasting law.
British regulations explicitly state that "an individual who is an officer of a body whose objects are wholly or mainly of a political nature is disqualified to hold a TV licence." Ofcom noted that throughout the investigation period, Shekhawat has maintained his position as president of the Overseas Friends of BJP (UK), raising concerns about the political nature of that organization.
"We were concerned that the OFBJPUK is likely to be a body whose objects are wholly or mainly of a political nature," Ofcom stated in its official announcement.Channel History and Response
Shekhawat has operated the Wembley-based channel since 2005 and responded to the license revocation by explaining that his wife Alpana now serves as director of MBCL and holds majority shares. He contested Ofcom's position, stating: "Ofcom is saying because of my political background I am not allowed to run the channel. But I only became OFBJP UK president in 2018. Before that I wasn't involved in politics. OFBJP is not a political party. It is a social group."
The channel operator indicated plans to reapply for broadcasting licenses with a different ownership structure, stating: "We will apply for a licence again with 100% shares to a different person." This suggests an attempt to restructure ownership to comply with regulatory requirements while maintaining operational control.
Regulatory Implications and Industry Impact
The revocation highlights several important aspects of UK broadcasting regulation:
- Strict enforcement of editorial control requirements for license holders
- Clear prohibitions against political organizations holding broadcasting licenses
- Ongoing regulatory oversight of diaspora media services operating in the UK
- The complex relationship between media ownership and political affiliations
This case represents a significant development in how UK regulators approach media operations with potential political connections, particularly within diaspora communities. The decision underscores the importance of transparent ownership structures and clear separation between political activities and media operations in the British broadcasting landscape.
