Mimicking MPs not good: Jaya Bachchan

Information minister Prakash Javadekar said that the government is taking the matter seriously and considering what action has to be taken.

If the government decides to take action it could have serious ramifications on several spoof shows on news and entertainment channels based on the political activities.

Sources stated that several such shows, being aired on the television as well as radio channels, might need to be sent off air or modified if the I&B ministry issues an advisory on the subject.

Raising the issue in the Rajya Sabha during the Question Hour, an animated Jaya Bachchan said that the private FM RJs are making fun of MPs and that’s a serious issue. Ms Bachchan alleged that several RJs used unparliamentary language and also mimicked the behaviour of MPs.

“The language used by radio jockeys on private channels is extremely objectionable. Now they’ve started giving news of Parliament and they mimic a lot of MPs. I want to know whether the government will do something about it,” Ms Bachchan said. She also received support from Bahujan Samaj Party’s S.C.

Mishra who also called for intervention of the I&B minister into the issue.

Reacting to the issue the I&B minister said these comments were not in “good sense” and pointed out that there was an electronic media monitoring centre.

“Mimicking parliamentarians and double-meaning talks is a serious issue and that the government would look into the matter,” he said. The minister stated that the government had received several such complaints which will be looked into by the ministry.

To another question on the issue of forced retirement of some RJs upon attaining age of 35 years by All India Radio, Kolkata, Mr Javadekar said the order was stayed as soon as the matter came to his notice. Raising the issue, Derek O’Brien of the Trinamul Congress said he could not understand what “great biological changes” happen after RJs attain the age of 35 years.

Agreeing with him, Mr Javadekar recalled Ameen Sayani whose voice enthralled listeners of All India Radio for decades and said, “It’s nothing to do with age.” The minister also said the government was contemplating allowing private FM channels to broadcast “AIR news clips”.