New Delhi, Nov 7 (IANS): Information and Broadcasting Minister Manish Tewari Thursday defended his ministry's advisory to TV news channels over "denigration" of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's Independence Day speech by comparing it with that of Narendra Modi.

He maintained that the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government was committed to protecting freedom of speech.

Talking to media persons here, Tewari said Aug 15 and Jan 26 were important national days and embody the body and soul of the liberation struggle and values which went into making the Constitution of India.

"When prime minister addresses (on Independence day), he articulates voice of 124 crore Indians. He is not speaking as a leader of a political party but the prime minister of India," Tewari said.

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi had sought to punch holes in prime minister's Independence Day speech. His speech was shown on several news TV channels.

The advisory issued last month said certain TV channels attempted to denigrade the office of the prime minister by constantly trying to compare his Independence Day speech with that of other political leaders, and this was "sensational against all norms of ethical journalism".

The advisory said the prime minister spoke from the ramparts of Red Fort as the prime minister of the country and not as a leader of a political party, and reminded the channels that they were bound to follow programme and advertising code under the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995.

The advisory asked TV news channels to follow the provisions of the code scrupulously and keep the significance of the solemn days in mind while carrying speeches of the prime minister and the president. It cautioned any further violation would attract penal provisions under relevant rules and terms of uplinking and downlinking.

Tewari said there was certain sanctity, gravitas and solemnity to the prime minister's Independence Day speech.

"Advisory is in the nature of advisory. (We) leave it to their wisdom to take our advice," Tewari added.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Arun Jaitley had attacked the government over the advisory, saying it was "unconstitutional censorship order" and was prompted by "Modi-phobia".

Tewari attacked the BJP on the issue of freedom of speech, saying that the party-led National Democratic Alliance government had sought to muzzle Tehelka after its expose against the then central government.

On opinion polls, he said the Congress has been consistent in its stance over the past nine years and accused the BJP of volte face.

Tewari said the Congress stance on opinion polls came in response to a letter from the Election Commission.

"Our stance is same as it was in 2004. The shoe is really on the other foot," he said.

The Congress has told the poll panel that opinion polls should be restricted during election time.