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Soni’s initial response to the JD(U) chief’s supplementary sent the House in turmoil. The minister said it would not be possible for her to “answer questions about individual channels”.
As she sat down, Opposition members protested, demanding a response from her. Sharad Yadav had SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav, his party colleague Reoti Raman Singh, Rajiv Ranjan Singh Lallan of the JD(U) and Ananth Kumar of the BJP rising in his support. They urged Speaker Meira Kumar to get an answer from Soni.
Sharad Yadav pointed out that the Sharada Act was in place. “The Constitution was being violated through a portrayal of child marriage.” Soni said she would look into the complaint and apprise him of the outcome.
Earlier, she said, “Whatever law is available, we can act accordingly.” She said advisories had been issued in 277 cases during the past two-three years. The report of the content committee, according to her, would be implemented after stakeholders reached a broad consensus. She said the committee, set up to monitor channels 24 hours, currently had 150 of them on its radar. The number would be doubled.
The minister said she had held consultations with the National Broadcaster’s Association and Indian Broadcaster’s Foundation. She said the government would not curb the “right to free speech and expression” but “would address the concerns of end-users” — the common man, civil society, parents and children. She said India was the only country, which did not have a regulator for controlling content.
A member highlighted the role of media during the terrorist attack on Mumbai. Soni said discussions were under progress to provide for a mechanism which would be binding on television channels.
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I am really sorry to say this but our JD(United)President Mr Sharad Yadhav have not understood the concept of teleserial 'Balika Vadhu'. The selerial is NOT in the favour of child marriage
THIS GOES TO SHOW THAT OUR MPs ARE TOO BUSY WATCHING TV AND NOT BUSY TO DO ANY DEVELOPMENT WORK FOR THE PEOPLE. ALSO, LIKE RAMDOSS THEY ALWAYS ATTACKS ANYTHING OR ANYONE WHICH HAS DEEP PACKETS, IF YOU GET MY DRIFT!
Would they ban any serial that showed a murder, and hence violated the right to life and liberty guaranteed by our constitution?No wonder our lives are miserable, because we elect such sub-intelligent netas.
Can we also ban paan and chewing tobacco while we're at it?I am seeing the rapid ruralisation of urban India and it disturbs me to see that foreign promoted channels like Colors are portraying child marriage as prime time entertainment. As if its normal practice even now in rural India to give away their daughters in marriage at such an early age. The evils of society are gleefuly portrayed with extended shots of verbal and physical abuse (not sexual) of the child coupled with regressive dialogues and action. It devotes 98% of its time in promoting the misdeeds and probably 2% of the show actually counsels the other character. At times the show is chauvinistic and overly matriarchal which rings false since most of rural India barely acknowledges the mother as the head of the family. It's another thing that the grand mother or head of the family is the root of all evil instead of being the voice of reason. It's the woman who's usually the voice of reason and the men tht are regressive
This seems to be an absurd observation by Mr. Yadav. Balika Vadhu, in a beautiful and artful presentation, much in contradiction to the observation made, shows and preaches us, about the ills like Child Marriage and oppression Child Widows! Now, to depict an ill through an art form wold require artist and realistic representation of 'what-is' in order to suggest 'what should be'. I hope Mr. Yadav's family might help him understand!
I guess our MPs have gone fully insane.How about banning all TV shows and films which show anything punishable under India laws! Hahahhahhahhahha ....mad neta gan :)