Explained : ‘Suggestive’ song row reaches parliament and Its Impact

The Indian Government is prepared to take strict action to protect its citizens, especially children, against harmful content, Minister of Information and Broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnaw said in the parliament, defending the government’s ban of a song that has caused an uproar in the country. 

“The framers of the constitution placed certain reasonable restrictions, and we should function within those limits. Freedom of speech cannot be absolute, it has to be in the context of the society and culture,” he told the Indian Parliament on Wednesday.

The song in question, called “Sarke Chunar Teri Sarke” is the Hindi version of a southern movie’s song “Sarse Ninna Serage Sarse,” written by Kannada director Prem.

While Indian cinema has long produced songs which are sexually suggestive, they generally skirt censorship by hiding behind double meanings — something this song fails to do.

On Thursday, the National Commission for Women (NCW) issued a statement on media reports alleging obscenity and vulgarity in the song. 

“Observing that the content prima facie appears to be sexually suggestive, objectionable, and violative of provisions under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, IT Act, and POCSO Act, the Commission has taken serious note of the matter,” it said, referring to India’s criminal code and the law protecting children against sexual offenses. 

It went on to issue summons to the actors, lyricist, producer and director of the Hindi song, requesting them to appear before the commission.

The NCW warned that failure to appear would lead to further legal action.

Most parties responsible for making the song have either apologized or defended their role in the song’s making. The official music video was taken off all platforms.

Actress Norah Fatehi, a dancer in the song’s music video, said she had recorded it for a different language, which she did not speak. In a video posted to social media, she argued that she was unaware of the nature of the Hindi song’s lyrics and thanked viewers for protesting against it.

Meanwhile, social media users debated the song’s lyrics.

Some called it out, saying it encouraged sexual teasing and would negatively impact India’s youth. Others argued that while the song was in bad taste, Indian cinema was not new to lewd lyrics and the ban was a form of selective outrage.