Question : OBSCENITIES ON T.V. SERIALS

(a) whether the episode of serial `Kyonki Sas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi` broadcasted on 12th October, 2004 had a rape scene which was shown for five minutes continuously;

(b) if so, whether any voluntary organisation has made a complaint with the Ministry in this regard;

(c) if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether any action has been taken so far against serial producer, director and the T.V. Channel;

(e) if so, the details thereof;

(f) whether the Government propose to fix a limit/guidelines regarding the broadcasting of obscenities in the serials; and

(g) if so, the details thereof?

THE MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS (SHRI A. RAJA)

(a):- Star TV has confirmed that a rape scene was telecast in its episode on 12.10.2004 of the serial `Kyonki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi`. Further, they have informed that the episode was constructed to sensitise viewers about crimes committed against women and specifically to highlight the incidence of marital rape.

(b) to (e):- No complaint has been received in the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting in this regard.

(f) & (g):- As per Section 5 of the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act 1995, no programme of a TV Channel should be transmitted or re-transmitted through cable service unless it is in conformity with the prescribed Programme Code. The Programme Code prescribed vide Rule 6 of Cable Television Networks Rules 1994, inter-alia, provides that no programme should be carried in the Cable Service which; offends against good taste or decency; Denigrates women through the depiction in any manner of the figure of a women, her form or body or any part thereof in such a way as to have the effect of being indecent, or derogatory to women, or is likely to deprave, corrupt or injure the public morality or morals; and is not suitable for unrestricted public exhibition. The Central Government can take action for violation of the Code under Section 20 of the Cable Act. The Central Government has constituted an Inter-Ministerial Committee to look into the violations of the Programme Code.