New Delhi: The Delhi High Court today sought the Centre's response on a PIL seeking an immediate ban on songs that promote use of drugs and alcohol.
A bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice R S Endlaw asked Additional Solicitor General Sanjay Jain, appearing for Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, to take instruction on a plea alleging that such songs not only justify drinking but also suggest that consumption is "good".
The court also asked the ministry to inform it whether such songs cannot be allowed to telecast once the film has received Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) approval.
The court was hearing a PIL filed by two advocates, who sought direction to the ministry to ban two songs -- 'Chaar botal vodka and 'Mai alcholic hoon' -- from playing or public display and other similar numbers.
The petitioners -- Vijay Dahiya and Ankur Kumar Mishra -- said that they have been constantly hearing and watching these songs, which seemed uprightly glorifying and promoting drugs and alcohol, through films, FM and Sunday entertainment channels.
They said that they went through the Cinematography Act, 1956. "It is after the complete reading of the act and the guidelines, they got sure of the intention of the law which is to stop screening films which tend to glorify or promote drugs and alcohol," the petition said.
The two sought direction against the ministry and CBFC, which they said has allegedly given certificate to songs in question in complete violation of the guidelines for certification of films for public exhibition.
"Each and every line of the two songs is not just justifying drinking but even suggest that its consumption is good and thus, in turn, glorify drinking in a big way.
"The lyrics and the filming of these songs clearly violate the principle established in the statute and at the same time is a direct threat to the children below the age of 18 by inspiring in the wrong way," the plea said.
It further said that a direction should be given to the respondents to "make a channel for common man to formally complain and get time bound reply of such complaints in future against similar songs, films etc,..."
