Thursday, Dec 19, 2013
Kolkata: Muslim clerics have forced a private channel from telecasting a television serial written by exiled Bangladeshi author Taslima Nasreen indefinitely.
In a press statement, the channel said, “Although we are willing and ready to commence the telecast of ‘Dusahobas’ (unbearable) today (Thursday) at 10 pm (India time), due to reasons beyond the purview and control of Aakash Aath, we may be forced to defer the telecast of this serial indefinitely,”
Sources inform that as many as 22 religious organisations had opposed the telecast of the serial, which they claimed as scripted to hurt the sentiments of their community.
According to police officials, the religious groups had directly petitioned to the Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee against the television serial, forcing the police to ask the channel to stop airing it.
“We agree to the idea of free speech, but we also have to keep in mind law and order situation in the state. If communal violence breaks out due to anything that might be said through the serial then it can have serious consequences,” said a senior police official.
However, this incident has again questioned the attitude of the government towards protection of free speech in the country. It is not the first time that Banerjee’s government is being seen trying to appease the minority community for political benefits.
“Earlier the government stopped author Salman Rushdie from coming into the city. Later, a number of cinema and theatres were opposed since they were supposed to be taking anti-government stance. But still we believe we live in a democracy where free speech is a fundamental right,” said film director Arpita Mukherjee.
Though none of the political parties were willing to comment fearing a backlash from the minority community especially before the general elections, analysts believe that nothing more was expected from Banerjee.
“She had gone all out to appease the minority community by introducing a stipend for Imams; and budget for minority welfare has tripled in the last two years’ of her rule — just for political mileage. Did anyone expect her to act differently?” questioned political observer Pinaki Gupta.
By Archisman Dinda Correspondent
Gulf News 2013. All rights reserved.
