Whither balance? Hyper-activism by one while insensitive inaction by the other


Hyper-activism by one….
The Union Minister, Mr. Kapil Sibal has been drawing fire from all quarters for quite some time now. First when he came out with a extremely low valuation on the loss to the exchequer due to the 2G scam, then later due to his dealings with the Anna team and now for his comments on putting curbs on Internet.

Though this blog is against moves like restricting freedom expression in the country, just taking on the role of a devil’s advocate, I guess the I&B ministry would be parsing many times more data than we individuals, and may have come across certain instances, the existence of which may warrant such a thought. 

After all, not all the netizens of web2.0 can be assumed to be astute as well as tolerant towards what they read or articulate. I don’t know, but the ministry may have a point in restricting expressions which may disturb the social fabric and harmony of this country.

…while insensitive inaction by the other
However, my main question is how can the I&B ministry, be oblivious to a much more immediate and clear threat to Indian society today? While on one hand, one arm of this government is displaying such proactive approach towards restraining the internet, I fail to understand how I&B Ministry can allow pornstars etc. to be aired on national TV?

Various newspapers have reported that children are google-ing certain participants of a popular reality show currently on air and end up on porn sites. Exposing or causing children to pornographic material is certainly prohibited under Indian Law, to the best of my knowledge. To continue to allow such developments by the ministry, in a way makes them complicit and condoning the act.


We hope at least now, after such reports have been published, the I&B ministry will  take some corrective(read prohibitive) action to salvage the situation. One only hopes that in India, at least children’s innocence is not sacrificed on the altar of crass commercial interests.

Comments

Post a Comment

Hi, I would love to hear from you. So speak your mind....I am listening

Popular posts from this blog

Investing during volatile markets

Surprises happen, often Taking a step back, we had no clue about the PM’s announcement about the de-monetization (banning of Rs 500 & Rs 1000 currency notes) and are still to come to terms with the impact and the after effects of the move. Neither had anyone any idea that a certain Donald Trump, a political first-timer, will be elected the President of the US of America!  But both events happened, and took most, if not all of us, by surprise. Coming back to Indian markets, the commentators are as divided on the economic and political impact of the anti-black money drive on the common man as they were clueless about such an event unfolding. However, prima facie, I see the following likely outcomes: Rise in deposits, will bring down rates: If the so far, surge in bank deposits (Rs 4 lakh crores so far; ~4% of total deposits) are anything to go by, the move may shore up bank deposits which in turn would swell short term liquidity in the system, putting downward ...
Read more

Dark clouds

  I was witnessing with great sadness and despair as a neighboring nation, which once sported an open and progressive society and economically too was making a mark in the world, is now on the verge of getting enveloped in the thick black smoke of hate and violence. Politically, and strategically, such a decline will undoubtedly leave a more difficult (and dangerous) regional equation for countries like India. However, the deafening silence of our own liberal-left on the clear and present danger and on the human crimes (be it beheadings or hangings etc) clearly exposes how shallow their own “liberal” and “secular” ideologies are. While talking about this international situation, I am only painting a backdrop to the ever-darkening atmosphere for India. In this light another of our neighbor, who is growing more powerful and belligerent with each passing day, we at our present state of affairs, are ill-equipped to compete against. This neighbor, lets call it Red-2, is taking multi...
Read more

Letters to my son #1 – Being human

Many a times we make mistakes, some times we are not taken seriously and sometimes we meet with failure too. Intellectuals as well as idiots are often in love with their own selves, their own ideas and will seldom listen to you. Even in the stock markets, when I regularly come across super-intelligent people every day, many a times, our thoughts and perspective differs. This difference of opinion, will always be there. One must understand to live with it and respect it too. Some people are hot-headed and blunt, and you may feel hurt at times. Some are way-too frank and you may also feel slighted by their way of talking, even when they may mean no harm. How to deal with these? Should you get angry or ignore it? How to deal with rejection and, sometimes disappointment? Let me remind you, Krishna, was a simple cowherd to many. He was the best of statesman, a fierce warrior, yet he often maintained his visage of the humble and lovable Gopala. Despite being the incarnation of L...
Read more