Mock assembly debates need for TV serial censor

Thiruvananthapuram: The mock assembly session conducted by Student Police Cadets debated the need for a TV Serial Censor Board. The “ruling” party which moved the bill argued that soaps showed violence against women and children, casteism and extramarital affairs in families.

In attendance were 604 senior cadets, of which only 17 played legislators. Lijisha, who played the Minister for Culture, said that serials showed scenes of suicide, and even children were attempting to kill themselves because of this.
The cadets made references to real people and incidents to support and oppose.

Lijisha cited the example of the Child Rights Commission which intervened in the case of a TV serial where a child was portrayed as being abused. Abhimanyu cited a news report about 19,028 divorce cases.

Afreen Ahmed, playing a member of the Opposition, countered the arguments saying that if art or literature did indeed have such an influence, good literature should have reformed society by now. She said that there were few studies which proved that serials caused such distress in children.

Mahadevan, in support of the Bill, said that while there were acts like the Juvenile Act and POSCO, there was no clarity on the punitive action against portrayal of violence on children shown on TV.

The Opposition termed the move a sign of the advent of fascism, as eventually even the freedom of press would be affected. The Bill was finally passed. The programme was inaugurated by Law Secretary B G Hareendranath. Media person M G Radhakrishnan and Additional State Nodal Officer Abdul Karim were present.