Censorship in media is suppression of speech and expression. It is also the government’s propaganda to subtly engrave in our minds their viewpoint. Or is it now?
We as citizens go on raving about the article 19(1)(a) of the Indian constitution, which gives us freedom of speech and expression but we often forget about article 19(2) which restricts it for very reasonable reasons. While everyone talks about how censorship in songs & movies must be removed and films that are banned must not be banned, I beg to differ.
We may be discerning as individuals but we have little or no control over how media affects us subconsciously. While the 23-year-old Delhi gang-rape victim was being cremated, simultaneously a discussion over Honey Singh’s first song, “Ch**” was creating a buzz. The song revolves around the singer’s version of satisfying a woman’s lust, followed by beating her with a shoe and then moving on.
Article 292 of IPC deals with obscenity. Obscenity under the Indian Law is defined as: “Any work that appeal predominantly to “prurient” interest.” ”Any work that depicts or describes sexual conduct in a patently offensive way.” Legally, the term ‘obscenity’ is referred to as indecent expressions, such as words, images and actions. Despite the definition, what is obscene to me, may not be obscene to you, thus the notion remains subjective.
As Indians we all have the ‘Chalta Hai” mindset. “Chalta hai, its just a song.” Sorry Honey Singh fans, par nahi, yeh nahi chalta hai. Nobody in his or her right mind would consider beating up a woman with a shoe after assaulting her as morally, ethically or legally correct. And for those who say it’s just a song, the well-defined science of psychology proves that lyrics that are heard repetitively have a subliminal impact. Then how can we be so sure that children hearing songs like these on an everyday basis will not propagate domestic violence. Such is a case wherein prevention is better than cure!
Freedom of art is a fine concept, but there is a thin line between being crass and being artistic. Being obscene can clearly be demarcated from being arty! “Pallu ke neeche daba ke rakha hai, utha loon toh hungama ho.” Imagine the horror that goes through a parent who hears their 10 year old humming this song. Censoring content may not always be a solution to stop advocacy of vulgarity, however it’s a highly probable solution.
Censorship of news, like in the case of 26/11 and in sensitive issues like rape is seriously the need of the hour. National security and sentiments of people are at stake!
There is nothing that is absolute. Not freedom of speech, not even government’s control over Media! We don’t need to pull off “A China” or “A Cuba” but how can we expect no regulation at all? Yes we have the right to question why certain things maybe banned but it is also our duty to obey a reasonable law!
Censorship of media in its own nature is a government’s responsibility and a citizen’s guard!
There is an age old media debate – does dark music encourage dark acts, or help people feel those emotions while listening hence releasing the energy that could have been utilized to act in dark ways… i donno which one is true, but i have experienced listening to some amount of dark music can actually help release.. i think if you make it a constant, it could seriously damage you by subliminally encouraging you to think those thoughts.
The government today, is a mechanism that is required to forge a sense of order in the chaos that is live. Censorship of media is certainly a tool utilized to bring that order. Unfortunately, there are a lot of individuals within that organisation that are motivated mostly by self interest, and hence utilize this power to filter information to carry out acts that may benefit them, while keeping most people in the dark about it. Which is think is unfair.
its a tough subject, you make sense, which i think is very difficult to do while discussing something that we have such little actual information as laymen in this country.
And of course, well written
You are right sristhi that there is a fine line between being artistic and being crass. Infant, media shapes the society and reflects our thoughts and opinions so it becomes all the more necessary to keep a tab of the content that is shown. However, censorship often is politically controlled in a country like ours. Political aspirations and motives are often the reasons why films are banned in our country so Yes, I agree censorship is a must but also filmakers, movie makers and directors must be free to express their ideas as openly and as freely as they want. Violence and sex should be allowed looking at the subject matter and the necessity of those particular scenes to augment the feel of the story.
Very Well written. Was indeed a good read. .
Thanks for your feedbacks!
I completely agree that things heard or spoken often can (if not essentially do) subliminally settle themselves in one’s psyche. But I also acknowledge the power of the dominant, innate trait of discernment to edit such relative deviations. Fodder for thought or emotion, can, and must, if not advised, atleast be accepted, as data for exploration and/or extrapolation.
It is, as an ideal, important, to rise above the desperation borne of feelings of victimization or hopelessness. As long as one has the more powerful tool of discrimination at hand. That is the whip meant for reigning in the flight of one’s horses.
An ‘attack’ on one’s sensibilities is not something to be abhorred, at best, brushed aside as a vagary or trifle.
Coz Art is as vast as it’s people. More importantly, over the course, one can postulate, people mould/define their art, art does not mould/define it’s people.
Impressed and agree !!
@Gin: I do not question the power of discernment, however despite insulating our psyche to unwanted trash there is always a tendency to subconsciously absorb the very trash we are running away from! And I don’t say this out of thin air, I have actually researched psycho analysis report that agrees with this this theory. Having said that, its just a theory and no one theory is absolutely correct. Therefore, I agree that certain things maybe beyond the realm of my understanding.
@Pushpender: Thank You!