The recent announcement by the I&B Ministry of the Indian Government regarding the banning of some OTT platforms for publishing obscene and vulgar content has sparked widespread attention and has reignited the discussions on the crucial issue of women’s safety in society. That’s because the ministry took the above decision under the provisions of the IT Act, 2000 after consultations with other Ministries and Departments of the Government of India, and domain experts specialising in media and entertainment, women’s rights, and child rights.
We all know about the #MeToo movement, which started as a #hashtag and became a global phenomenon. But then how many of us remember that movement? Not many. But, the recent growth in the number of cases of people holding high public offices being held for charges of crimes against women is an indicator of the extent of moral downfall in our society.
It’s a fact that most women around the world have experienced sexual harassment, assault, and violence, or have at times been pushed into a zone where they knew it did not feel right. In a recent high-profile case involving an ambassador of a powerful country, it was a maid at a big establishment accusing the international figure of the charges. But this is only the tip of the iceberg, as in most of the cases, many economically weaker and socially backward victims are silenced under pressure. As a result, many such crimes and lesser crimes go unreported across the world due to fear, shame, absence of social support or lack of will on the part of the authorities to pursue the case.
The media highlights such reports as a custodian of the public. However, if statistics of people involved in adultery or having a criminal eye were to be taken, the results would be shocking and go beyond the limits of class, age, gender and public profiles. So, when such cases are mounting in the media and courts, and even juveniles and senior people are being tried for them, what is civil society doing to stop them?
We look at three of the most influential mediums of our times — the television, cinema and the internet and we realise that every segment of society is instrumental in fanning the fire of lust.
The entertainment channels and filmmakers manufacture suggestive, indecent images and sell them in the name of entertainment, the concerned authorities also allow them to be aired or screened in the name of freedom of speech and expression and the public consumes them day in and day out.
It is shocking to see that nowadays even ice cream ads or animations meant for children are stuffed with such imagery which is in no way relatable to the actual product. Even if a film gets an ‘A’ certificate, how does it ensure that younger people do not watch it? And who can confirm that such films are not detrimental to the moral health of adults? How do we expect a generation fed on skin shows to bring up a society safe for women? In light of the situation, our society is doomed to an even greater moral downfall.
The present state is thus a distress call to spiritual organisations, women groups and human rights custodians like the UN to take up the fight against the objectification of women in a big way.
Channels that affect public mentality must be properly guarded and proper steps like the ones mentioned above should be taken to nurture high moral principles in our society that’s reeling under the crisis of varied forms as the monster of lust has been on the loose. Such organisations and Government agencies need to impress upon the people that the moral strength of any society is strongly linked with the respect it accords to its women.
Lastly, it has been found that the role of education & media becomes very important in propagating values in society. For, unless and until education is value-based and media, especially electronic and film media make their contribution to creating awareness for values like respect, gender equality, tolerance, and humility, there will not be any peace and harmony in society nor will there be safety for women.
(The writer is a spiritual educator and popular columnist. Views are personal)