HC seeks ways to restrain songs promoting drugs and alcohol

The Delhi High Court today asked the government to explain whether there was any method to restrain the broadcast of songs that promote use of drugs and alcohol.
A bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice R S Endlaw posed the query to the Information and Broadcasting Ministry after it informed the court that they have no power to review the decision of Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) once they gave clearance to the type of songs in question.
The court, however, said they were concerned over the use of such songs in movies and the matter required consideration.

"Our main concern is on the use of songs promoting use of liquor. It requires consideration," the bench said and asked "whether there is any method to restrain broadcasting of this kind of songs."
It asked the ministry to file their counter reply within four weeks.
While fixing the matter for further hearing of August 12, the court also asked ministry to explain whether there was any separate mechanism to restrain telecast of such songs on the TV channels.

The court was hearing a plea alleging that such songs not only justified drinking but also suggested that consumption of alcohol was "good".

The PIL was filed by two advocates, who sought direction to the ministry to ban two songs - 'Chaar botal vodka' and 'Mai alcholic hoon' - and other similar numbers from being played or publicly displayed.
The petitioners -- Vijay Dahiya and Ankur Kumar Mishra -- said they have been constantly hearing and watching these songs which seemed uprightly glorifying and promoting drugs and alcohol through films, FM radio and entertainment channels.
They alleged that the ministry and CBFC, had given certificate to the songs in question in complete violation of the guidelines for certification of films for public exhibition.