Letters to the Editor: Focusing on the content

In recent times, a boycott campaign is going on through popular demonstrations and videos in social media against Bollywood. It seems that the core reason for protests against the films is unending crude practices of indecent portrayals of character and violence in the garb of glamour and sophistication being thrust in the Bollywood films. The latest controversy is surrounding Shah Rukh Khan-Deepika Padukune starrer film 'Pathaan' for its some contents and distasteful picturization of a song, which has also spilled over to other big films by Aamir Khan, Akshay Kumar and Ranbir Kapoor. A select group of people, however, under the pretext of attack on artistic freedom are opposing the ongoing boycott calls and trying to undermine the protesters by leveling them as fringe elements, follower of radical ideology etc.

It should be kept in mind that the Constitution guarantees all citizens in India to equally share fundamental rights and does not grant any special privilege to the few mega film stars to enjoy fundamental rights on their own term. Most of the bollywood films contain rampant violence, objectification of women, and often offensive representation of Hindu deities, raw treatment to Indian tradition, history and heritage etc. It also hurts mass sentiments when objectionable contents are used for commercial promotion through the film's posters and visual clippings you are coerced to watch at every break on any TV channel, be it news, entertainment or sports.

There is no need to support a few unscrupulous Bollywood actors whose ultimate goal is moneymaking and self-image building. It deserves to be mentioned that Amitabh Bachchan in his address in the last Kolkata international film festival held in December 2022 said a plain untruth that citizens' independence was under attack in the country; which also received tacit support of Shah Rukh Khan as both were invited as guests of honour. But not to forget that on the same stage Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was present for the event. Who are unaware of post-poll 2021 violence and vandalism in West Bengal perpetrated by goons of the TMC party headed by Banerjee? But both the film stars preferred to remain silent on any other occasion to make their stand clear on that human massacre. So the ongoing campaign is a popular movement against the dark side of Bollywood film industry which will hopefully compel them to focus on civilized content materials in the films that will uphold social values and provide pure amusement.

Pannalal Dey

Guwahati.

Say no to 'mandatory contributions' or 'donations'

It is seen almost everywhere in Assam that there is a culture of fundraising by collecting during the festive season. Being daily commuters by road we have to face much harassment while moving from one place to another for this unpleasant culture. Most of these collecting groups consist of young people driven by the motive of some seniors who are always instigating them. The way they demand money for fundraising, it really looks like extortion. During Rangali Bihu some youths stop vehicles in the name of chaanda, threaten and demands money. Even they use our pride gamosa as a tool for this to degenerate the culture. At that time being an Assamese we feel very ashamed of ourselves. The government has also appealed many times to the people of Assam not to get involved in the 'chaanda' culture, but still this culture does not seems to end. Donating voluntarily is acceptable but demanding money by threatening in the name of donation should be stopped at every level. Similarly, this culture puts extra pressure on some small businessmen and the general public who need to think about their living on daily basis. So the government should consider banning it through a strict act.

Bhushan Ray

Chirang.