Indo-Canadian radio station cited in CRTC complaint

The Surrey Women's Centre says it will file a complaint with the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission over a call-in show on Indo-Canadian radio station Red FM.

Spokesperson Corrine Arthur said the complaint centres around comments made by talk show host Harjinder Thind and several callers.

During the popular radio show, Thind took on the issue of domestic violence, saying in Punjabi, "Recently women have taken many leaps forward to gain freedom with the help of men. Is this freedom becoming the reason behind domestic violence?"

The show aired the day after Ravinder Bhangu was allegedly murdered by her husband at a Surrey, B.C., newspaper office.

"[He] then proceeded to talk to several well-known radio shows about allegations that this particular young woman may have been involved in an extramarital affair," Arthur said.

"The community was horrified, including our own staff that are South Asian and listen to the South Asian radio station."

She alleges the broadcast was inflammatory.

"We basically see him and his radio station as a significant community leader and [he] has the ability to really affect change within the community," she said.

"His comments really are exacerbating violence in the South Asian community."

Red FM president Kulvinder Sanghera said the comments may have been misunderstood.

"We do talk shows to bring awareness in the community and the callers have the right  to say their opinion," he said. "You do understand the show has to be balanced."

Sanghera said the station raises tens of thousands of dollars every year towards helping victims of domestic abuse.