Phataack! Thappad Ki Goonj

Aren't we quite a slap happy nation with almost everyone ready to slap each other at the drop of a hat? I was watching one of the inane Roadies 6.0 audition episode where one girl proudly states that she is capable of slapping anyone. Hahah right!

Now that's some talent huh? But then maybe it is, for as I said we as a nation love slapping I suppose. Looking back Harbhajan slapped Sreesanth and then there was this Tamil Director who slapped the heroine of his film, actor-turned-Member of Parliament Govinda slapped an onlooker and then a TV host of a reality show was slapped by a contestant! Hahahahah

Its really a weird, weird world that we live in where smoking on screen is banned but violence, especially domestic violence is quite permissible. Take any of the daily soaps on Indian television, be it in any language and we can see domestic violence being glorified in various forms. Erring mothers, daring-to-dream daughters, unfaithful wifes are shown to be kicked & slapped left & right by their husbands, fathers, mother-in-laws and boyfriends. Every TV serial worth their TRP have atleast one slap-scene which is shown from every possible angle. uhh!

Nowadays there is a statutory warning message flashed when onscreen drinking is shown however there is no message shown when a guy roughs up a lady onscreen.

Media and especially television has a far-reaching impact on its audience and hence it is time they get a little more responsible in airing content which alters behaviour and help gain acceptance to new worldviews.

Hope you are listening, health minister dear Mr Anbumani Ramadoss.