A small point before I start. I am totally unaware that Fashion TV has indeed been banned! Am writing this, assuming it has!
The question is, whose point of view are we debating here? Lets look at it from the Ministry’s point of view(after all, they are the only ones vested with the powers to ban).
Their stated objective in banning Fashion TV, is that it can be damaging to Indian culture. They would make 2 points in support of their stand:
Nudity is alien to Indian culture, especially female nudity, in public.
Things alien to one’s culture need not always be banned, but definitely should be if there exists no way of controlling who is exposed to such alien influences(read: children)
Personally, I believe point 1 is hogwash, but point 2 makes some sense.
The points usually made to counteract this argument:
Nudity(yea, even the female, public kind) is not alien to Indian culture. Examples of Khajuraho, Kamasutra are usually cited
If children are exposed to this, they should not be! The responsibility for this lies with their parents, who are responsible for their being there in the first place! If you have the need to procreate, have the responsibility to nurture, they say!
And now, for my point of view: Should it have been /be banned? Nope, I don’t think so.
Why? Let’s deal with the 2 points of argument first.
This is just emotional wrangling, me thinks. The ministry does not make enough money on the Fashion TV franchise, and is haggling and searching for reasons. Am not sure this is all that’alien’ to our culture. Just take one look at the dance bars that thrive in all our metros, the brothels which are furtively frequented by our culturally sound muddle class male. Khajuraho and Kamasutra, though, is going a bit overboard.not sure I feel any more culturally connected to that than I do to Woodstock!
Now this is an interesting argument, and to me, the only one that matters. Again, 2 extreme points of view. Yes, parents are ultimately responsible for what their children watch. But no, even parents can’t be expected to have a 100% record!
Simply put: In a democratic country, one must encourage choices. Where a channel is concerned, as long it does not seek to create anti-national sentiment, I am not sure anything should be banned. And in making that choice available, if a few naughty brats manage to steal a peek now and then.hell, I saw porn at 14.didn’t make me evil!(maybe it did and I dont know it! hehe.).
So give us a choice, I say: To see, or not to see
You will notice that I have studiously stayed away from the’look at music videos, they are much worse’ line. I don’t think one can use analogies for arguing such ideas.
So temme what you think(comments please!)
Cheers