New Delhi, March 18 – Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw cautioned filmmakers on Tuesday against "abusing" freedom of speech in response to the public outcry over the explicit and vulgar song "Sarka Chunar", urging them to exercise this right within acceptable societal standards.
Speaking in the Lok Sabha, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said, "A ban has already been imposed on the song. I must clearly state to the House that we must respect and operate within the reasonable restrictions provided by the Freedom of Speech. Freedom of Speech cannot be absolute; it must be exercised within the context of society and culture."
Vaishnaw was responding to a question raised by SP MP Anand Bhadouria about the Bollywood film song "Sarke Chunariya".
Vaishnaw added that the government is committed to taking sensible and strict action to protect the minds of vulnerable individuals, particularly children, who are susceptible to the negative effects of digital exposure.
Notably, the highly controversial song "Sarke Chunar", featuring Nora Fatehi and Sanjay Dutt from the film 'KD: The Devil', has sparked widespread public outrage due to its suggestive lyrics and choreography since its release.
The song was banned on Tuesday after intense backlash and criticism from within the film industry, including complaints filed against the authorities. The song was also removed from the video platform YouTube.
On Tuesday, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) also issued a notice to the makers over "objectionable lyrics and obscene gestures".
"Who can sit with their civilized family and watch this? There is no expectation of morality from Bollywood anyway, but it is shameful for the censor board to license obscenity. This mentally ill person is destroying generations with their psychopathic tendencies. We will not allow this filth to spread in society. We are issuing notices for action," said NHRC member Priyank Kanoongo, expressing his displeasure over the song.
A complaint was also filed with the CBFC and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, demanding legal action over the "highly vulgar, sexually suggestive, and obscene" track.
