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An Indian news channel has aired an entire discussion programme using only mime artists as guests to make a point about media freedom.

Ravish Kumar, who presents NDTV India's Prime Time, two mimes about whether journalists should ask questions of the government, with the theme: "If we can't ask questions, what can we do?" The mimes, one cast as a government official and the other his supportive internet troll, responded to Mr Kumar with a mixture of threatening gestures, exaggerated facial expressions and gibberish.

The satirical show comes in the wake of the government ordering NDTV India to go off-air for 24 hours on 9 November as a penalty for how it covered a militant attack in January. It says the channel revealed "strategically-sensitive details" in its coverage of the attack on Pathankot air force base, something NDTV denies.

It also follows comments by Minister of State for ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Affairs Kiren Rijiju, who last week that "questioning the authorities and the police" was "not a good culture".

Mr Kumar's news show was full of references to the current political climate in India: at one point, the internet troll character indicated how he would wring the anchor's neck if he asks too many questions. There has been a recent spurt in the activities of internet trolls who often respond aggressively to any online criticism of the government.

The programme prompted a furious debate on Twitter. Some hail Mr Kumar: "In a world full of boot lickers #RavishKumar stood out. Huge respect," one person . But both he and NDTV have attracted plenty of criticism, too. "This is exactly how they turn the narrative around!" , adding that it's not about freedom of speech, but about "compromising the security of our country".

As for NDTV, it says on its : "When did authority and police rise above questioning? Authority means accountability. Without it, power becomes something else altogether."

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