India’s national radio broadcaster, All India Radio (AIR) dropped 100 casual RJs from its Kolkata office last Saturday for being over the age limit.

The upper age limit for announcers on FM bands was initially set at 30 by AIR’s Directorate General in October last year.

Later, the age limit was revised to 35 but an employment tribunal put the measure on hold till August 8.

As soon as the freeze expired, RJs were dropped the next day, reports The Hindu.

While AIR says the move was designed to keep the station sounding fresh, some of the RJs who have been working with the broadcaster for almost two decades felt the move was irrational.

Avantika Ghosh, of All India Radio Broadcasters’ Welfare Association, Kolkata (AIRBAWAK), told The Times of India: “There is no scientific reasoning that says that once a person crosses 35, the voice modulation ceases to sound good.”

Renowned ear, nose, and throat (ENT) experts in the city too have termed AIR’s move “ridiculous”.

Meanwhile, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Prasar Bharati, Jawhar Sirkar, tweeted on Saturday that nobody would be “sacked” as the policy is under review.