FORUM
AGAINST OBSCENITY
OBSCENITY
: A FORM OF MIND POLLUTION
Earth
pollution is bad. Water and Noise pollution is worse. Air pollution
is still worse. But the worst of all is Mind Pollution. It corrupts
the most valuable trait of Human Species : It corrupts THINKING.
One of the most common forms of Mind Pollution observed today
is OBSCENITY
WHY
MOVEMENT AGAINST OBSCENITY
·
In last few years, a large Section of the Media
and particularly the Leading ones have taken liberty to flout
all Norms related to Obscenity. A systemic overdose of Nudity
and Vulgarity is being forced into the brain of common
Viewer through News Papers, Television, Films, Magazines, Hoardings,
and Posters.
·
Their purpose is to use a cheap short cut to catch
attention and thus beat competition. They want to make quick money
by selling their real matter mixed with so called HOT STUFF.
·
The long term effect of this bombardment of sex
and nudity is resulting in corrupting the Thought Process because
thoughts are bound to come according to what you see, read and
hear.
·
The psychologists all over the world are cautioning
that exposure to Media violence and sex, have damaging impact
on the children and minors and youth.
·
Common man and Parents of young children are worried,
they feel helpless and frustrated. Their Right of bringing up
their children in a Mind Pollution Free Atmosphere is snatched
away.
·
This Long lasting damage cannot be checked individually.
It needs a Mass Movement.
·
This restlessness has evolved into a large number
of NGOs and individuals coming together in the form of this FORUM
AGAINST OBSCENITY
HOW
DO YOU DEFINE OBSCENITY
o
Any picture, photograph, Figure, article, write
up, etc. or a Public Act which depraves or corrupts the mind and
which appeals to the prurient interests or which is against the
acceptable social moral standards would be called obscene and
vulgar.
o
The condition in which you would feel ashamed to
see your mother or wife or daughter, is obscene.
THE
PRESENT SCENARIO
o
Television Channels are full of adult contents.
o
The films and Serials show detailed rapes and sex
sequences.
o
Music videos have half naked girls dancing, making
suggestive gestures, almost performing pornography.
o
Newspapers like Mid-Day, Mumbai Mirror, Bombay Times
etc are full of photographs of half or almost naked actresses
and models. Kamasutra is printed. Sex Experts are guiding and
solving difficulties being faced in Premarital Sex.
o
The News Channels shamelessly show pornography and
uncensored scenes of Adult films in the name of News.
o
The posters of the films are made from those scenes,
which are deleted by the censor board. The posters of films and
hoardings of advertisements are so vulgar that it is difficult
for women to walk with their heads up on the road.
WHAT ARE THE RESULTS
o
There is a direct link between the violence being
shown in media and the actual act of violence against women. The
cases of molestation, sexual harassment and rape are on the rise
due to this constant bombardment of sex, nudity and violence in
the media. In Mumbai there have been instances of 12 and 13 year
old boys raping 9 year old girl, copying the act from television.
o
Premarital Sex and Extramarital Sex is fast growing
and is gaining Social Acceptance in the new Generation.
WHAT
ARE THE FUTURE THREATS
o
Marriage as an Institution is under threat. Like
in West, the cases of Divorce are increasing. The Indian Culture
of a Life Long Vow of faithful marital life is likely to get eroded.
The Foundation of FAMILY is being dynamited.
o
Sex, instead of a serving a valuable purpose of
maintaining intimacy and bond of Love between husband and wife,
may get reduced to a sheer Animal Act.
o
Teenagers and minors are indulging in sexual activities
due to constant hammering of adult content in the media.
o
The body of a woman has become an object of entertainment
and a mere commodity
to draw people’s attention.
WHAT
DOES THE LAW SAY
o
Article 19 of the constitution does guarantee freedom
of speech and expression. However it clearly states that this
freedom is subject to reasonable restrictions. Among various grounds
of restriction, social moral standards and decency are also included.
o
Indian Penal Code 292 states that any obscene and
vulgar act, video, audio, poster, printed material displayed in
public are punishable offence.
o
The Indecent Representation of Women [prohibition]
Act 1986, states that depiction of the figure, body, or any part
of a woman’s body, which is denigrating women or likely to corrupt
Public Morality is a punishable offence.
o
The Cable Television Network Act clearly mentions
that 24 hours NO ADULT programme can be shown on television. [The
criteria for the Adult content is the same as followed by the
Censor Board]
ARGUMENTS
SUPPORTING OBSCENITY
o
The freedom of Expression is a Fundamental Right
Our
answer- In a civilized society no freedom can be ABSOLUTE
or UNLIMITED. The freedom of Expression as per Law is subject
to reasonable restrictions, including the ground of social moral
norms and standards. Had this been a ‘free for all’ right then
our Laws would not declare indecent representation of women,
obscenity and vulgarity in public as a punishable offence.
o
Obscenity is a subjective issue. It is in the eyes
of the Beholder.
Our
answer- One of the signs of primitive man getting civilized
was that he started wearing Leafs and Barks of Trees. It has been
a long gradual process of human civilization. If today so called
liberals are advocating nudity in the name of liberalization then
they are taking us back to the primitive man and primitive civilization.
Keeping
the society in mind, whatever generally is not acceptable in the
society is called obscene, for example: wearing a bikini in the
beach is normal but wearing it in a public place is objectionable
and obscene. Having sex in closed rooms is normal, but doing it
in public, even by legally married couple is objectionable.
o
Sex Education is a good thing which is being imparted
indirectly by these
Our
answer - The vulgar and suggestive Displays instigate their
unripe mind to indulge in sex. They get wrong notions about Sex
Act. Education needs to be given scientifically in a class room.
o
This amounts to Moral Policing
Our
Answer: Can there be an Expiry Date to Morality !! Our Laws
do make a mention of Morality as a basis.
WHAT
ARE THE PLANS OF FORUM AGAINST OBSCENITY
o
To create Mass Awareness on this subject
o
To initiate Legal Action against Violators through
specific Complaint and through Public Interest Litigation
o
Social Boycott and Public protest against
Violators through Articles, Morcha, Dharna etc
o
To catalyze similar Movements in all parts of the
Country
o
To garner Support of Right minded and Like Minded
Media
o
To approach Associations / Federations of Media
for making guidelines for their Members and for ensuring it
o
To study the existing Laws and point out the need
to change it, through Amendment / Addition. To take up the issue
of Amendments with Govt.
WHAT
CAN AN INDIVIDUAL DO
o
It is time that We as concerned and responsible
citizens raise our voice to stop this sex, violence and vulgarity
in media including Television, Newspapers, Films and posters of
films.
o
It is time that we raise our voice against this
shameless display of woman’s body and her commodification in the
name of entertainment, against the shameless and blatant violations
of Laws, making the society unsafe for our Future Generation.
o
Please join hands in this fight against vulgarity
and violence in media. Express your support by writing to us.
o
Lodge Complaint against Cases of Obscenity wherever
you see. Attach a photo of the Obscene matter with details of
location, date etc. The Complaint has to be lodged with Deputy
Commissioner of Police, Enforcement, Office of Commissioner of
Police, Opp.
Crawford Market, Mumbai 400 001
o
Write to Hon. Minister, Information and Broadcasting,
Hon. Chief minister, Hon. Home Minister, Director General of Police
( DGP ) and Commissioner of Police, asserting your Right to live
and bring up your children in an atmosphere free of Obscenity
and Violence.
o
Write to Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting
Ministry at Shastri Bhavan, New Delhi , and demand
that no Adult content should be shown at any time on the television.
Demand that all Private TV Channels be converted to Pay Channels
so that you can see the channels of your choice only and prevent
undesirable channels in your home.
o
Mark copy of all above to us at address below
o
Discuss this common Cause with your Family, Friends,
and Society and create awareness and a sense of responsibility
to do something. Convert this Movement into an all India Movement
of Crores of well meaning Citizens.
o
Organize and Join the Protest Rallies / Morchas
wherever possible.
o
Communicate with those indulging in Obscenity and
make efforts to convince them to desist from Obscenity
o
Boycott those
Media and News Papers which promote Nudity.
o
Contribute financially towards the campaigns by
the Forum.
SATYAMEVA
JAYATE
FORUM
AGAINST OBSCENITY
c/o
Dosti Trust,
Arya Soap Premises,
16, Hansraj Lane,
Byculla, (E) ,
near Byculla Police Station,
Mumbai 400 027
Tel
: Harish – 98703-07748, Varsha – 98692-89453, Amol – 98690-31346
E-Mail : faomum@rediffmail.com
Member Organizations:
●
Sadbhavana Sangh ● Maharashtra Nashabandi Mandal ●
Men Against Violence & Abuse (MAVA)
● Samip Pratisthan ●
Stree Shakti Sadan ●
Ashadeep Mahila Manch ●
Mahila Nyaydaan Kendra
● Swadhar ● Ghar
Hakka Jagruti Parishad ●
Kesari Youth Group ●
Movement for Peace & Justice
Advisors:
Justice Chandrashekhar Dharmadhikari (Retd.),
M.N.Singh,
Mrinal Gore,
Ahilya Rangnekar,
Prof.Pratiba Naitthani,
Kishan Goradia,
Nirmala Samant-Prabhavalkar
