New Delhi, Feb 3 (PTI) – Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Derek O'Brien on Monday invoked some of India's most celebrated films, including Mother India, Garam Hawa, and Salaam Bombay, to draw attention to pressing national issues such as farmers' distress, unemployment, and the increasing crimes against women.
During the debate on the Motion of Thanks to the President's address in the Rajya Sabha, O'Brien referenced ten Indian movies, which have been official Oscar entries over the years, to highlight economic inequality, child labor, and other societal concerns.
Farmers' Struggles and Agricultural Crisis
Citing the 1957 classic Mother India, O'Brien criticized the government for the worsening conditions of farmers, stating that agricultural wages have increased by only 0.2% in the last five years. He pointed out that nearly 30 farmers die by suicide every day, emphasizing the lack of a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP). "The plight of farmers today is no better than it was in 1957 when Mother India was released," he remarked.Crimes Against Women and Safety Concerns
Referencing Aakhri Khat, starring Rajesh Khanna, the TMC MP shed light on the alarming rise in crimes against women. He stated that every hour, 51 crimes against women are registered in India, with an average of 85 rape cases reported daily.Minority Rights and Social Justice
O'Brien invoked Garam Hawa to criticize the alleged discrimination against minorities under the Modi government. "The 1974 film showcased the struggles of minorities post-Partition. Today, similar challenges persist under this creaky coalition," he said. He condemned the imposition of anti-conversion laws, calling them unconstitutional, and emphasized that Waqf-related issues were a matter of constitutional rights rather than religious disputes.Economic Inequality and Child Labor
Quoting Salaam Bombay (1988), O'Brien lamented the plight of child laborers, estimating that India has around 20-30 lakh children engaged in labor. He further highlighted income disparity, stating that while the wealthy continue to amass more wealth, the poor are struggling to survive.Tax Burden on Individuals and Media Accountability
Referencing Lagaan, the MP drew a parallel between the burden of taxation in colonial times and the present, stating that individual taxpayers today contribute more than large corporations. He also cited Peepli Live to criticize mainstream media, warning major media owners to introspect. "If you don’t, I will call you out in the next session of Parliament," he cautioned.Government’s Silence on Key Issues
O'Brien criticized the Union Budget, pointing out that it failed to mention crucial issues like price rise, smart cities, crimes against women, malnutrition, federalism, farmer incomes, MNREGA, income inequality, ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’, or the Manipur crisis.Weakening of Institutions and the Call for Change
Drawing from Newton, starring Rajkummar Rao, he accused the government of systematically weakening democratic institutions. He concluded his speech with a strong remark: "The best scripts will always be written by the people of India. They will soon write a new script, bringing this horror film to an end."The debate witnessed sharp exchanges, with O'Brien's cinematic analogies drawing both applause and criticism from different political quarters.