Controversial Reality Show Segment Featuring Sexual Positions Draws Criticism, Catches Attention of Parliament Members
In the Heart of India: A viral clip from an OTT (Over-the-Top) show has ignited a firestorm on social media for its explicit nature, sparking calls for action from Shiv Sena MP Priyanka Chaturvedi. The controversial show is allegedly hosted on the 'ULLU' platform, with Bharatiya Janata Party MP Nishikant Dubey promising to take action against the series.
A year ago, on March 14, the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (I&B) had clamped down on 18 OTT platforms for broadcasting "immoral" and "pornographic" content. In response to the controversial clip that surfaced, Ms. Chaturvedi expressed frustration over the government's inaction, claiming that she had repeatedly flagged adult content on these apps but received no response.
The video in question is from the web series 'House Arrest,' hosted by former Bigg Boss contestant Ajaz Khan. In the clip, Mr. Khan asks contestants about various Kama Sutra sex positions, prompting Ms. Chaturvedi to demand an explanation from the I&B Ministry for allowing ULLU and Alt Balaji to avoid the ban on such controversial content.
Recently, the Supreme Court issued notices to the Centre, OTT platforms, and social media companies on a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking to address the issue of streaming obscene content. The court described the matter as a "significant concern" and demanded responses from various platforms, including Netflix, Amazon Prime, Alt Balaji, ULLU, and others.
BJP's Assurance: BJP MP Dubey expressed his disapproval of the clip and promised action against it. "This won't work, @MIB_India. Our committee will take care of this," he stated in a Hindi post, tagging the I&B Ministry.
Meanwhile, the BJP Yuva Morcha Bihar chief, Barun Raj Singh, called for an immediate stop to such questionable shows. He requested the Minister of I&B, Ashwini Vaishnaw, to "save our children" from such adult content.
Social Media Reaction: The clip evoked a strong reaction from social media users. One user expressed their dismay, stating, "I can't even believe how low these TV shows have sunk." Another user questioned, "How do they approve such TV shows?"
As this controversy unfolds, controversies surrounding similar content are not new. In February, social media influencer Ranveer Allahabadia found himself in hot water over comments made during Samay Raina's comedy show "India's Got Latent." Despite his apology and interim protection from arrest, the controversy persisted. Similarly, the show's host, Samay Raina, faced legal trouble as well.
Understanding the complexities of censorship and freedom of expression, regulation of such content continues to be a challenge. Debates on "obscenity" and "morality" on OTT platforms are ongoing, with the government previously proposing the Broadcasting Services (Regulation) Bill in 2023 to address the issue. However, the bill was withdrawn following widespread criticism. The challenge lies in imposing restrictions without crossing into disproportionate censorship or violating constitutional freedoms as stated under Article 19(2).
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has been careful in directly banning content, acknowledging that internet regulation requires balanced judicial and legislative scrutiny. This judicial restraint may have played a role in the non-inclusion of ULLU and Alt Balaji in the ban imposed by the I&B Ministry. Ultimately, as the country grapples with defining and regulating content on digital platforms, the focus remains on finding a balance between entertainment and decency.
- Shiv Sena MP Priyanka Chaturvedi has called for action against an OTT show, complaining about the government's lack of response to her flags on adult content.
- BJP MP Nishikant Dubey disapproves of the controversial clip and promises action, urging the Information and Broadcasting Ministry to take care of the matter.
- Social media users have reacted strongly to the clip, expressing dismay and questioning how such shows are approved.
- Previously, controversies surrounding similar content, such as the Samay Raina's comedy show "India's Got Latent," have raised questions about censorship, freedom of expression, and the balance between entertainment and decency on digital platforms.
- The Broadcasting Services (Regulation) Bill was proposed in 2023 to address the issue of regulation, but it was withdrawn following widespread criticism, indicating the ongoing challenge of finding a balance between regulation and constitutional freedoms.
