By
Sajjad Shaukat
Socialists
agree that historical background and national character play a key in moulding
the behaviour pattern of a country’s people, while customs and beliefs also
influence the thoughts of individuals. But electronic media of the rival
countries have accelerated the process in formulating the opinion of persons
against each other. In these terms, as part of psychological warfare, besides
supporting subversive acts in our country, India has started cultural
penetration in Pakistan through movies, dramas, shows and advertisements which
are directly targeting our own ideology and cultural values. The practice amounts
to Indian culture invasion on Pakistan. In this regard, Pakistan government
issued licenses to various TV channels with a view to earning revenue, showing
utter disregard to the core values of our culture.
However,
the job of media houses has been facilitated by some of us by encouraging
projection of Indian films and dramas including advertisements. Shameless
interest groups are promoting foreign contents just to protect their monetary
benefits. Meanwhile, the civil society has resisted this practice through their
meager voice, but those enjoying political, social and economic influence
favoured storming attack of external media instruments which have power and the
ability to kill without firing any bullet. In such situation, any uncertain and
cynic grain of mistrust injected through Indian media will never allow us to
strengthen our real values and beliefs as Muslims. Therefore, the hostile elements,
as Indian TV channels also target us with their cartoons and animated
caricatures. The aim is to capture Pakistan’s loyal audience of the future and
injecting them with dissenting thought to challenge the teachings and
traditions of Islamic culture including ideology of Indian hostile propaganda
against our customs and beliefs advances at a gradual pace, starting with a
positive thought and supporting a just event. But, it contains deeply
entrenched acrimony to create sense of suspicion amongst our youth who are
passing through a formative stage of development and are at the initial phase
of understanding their religious beliefs, cultural norms Besides Indian films
and dramas, Pakistan’s cable networks also display Indian commercials on our
channels, projecting Indian products and consumer goods. In such phenomenon,
people, especially the youth and female audience are likely to prefer brand of
Indian products and goods.
On
the other side, New Delhi does not allow telecast of Pakistani dramas and
movies on Indian soil. In this context, New Delhi has adopted very strict
policy of restricting Pakistani channels, being broadcasted in India. In August
2009, Indian daily, “The Asian Age” disclosed that the Indian government banned
Pakistani TV channels in its country and it was also planning to establish
high-frequency transmitters and towers in the bordering areas to stop
transmission of But, Indian rulers’ decision was taken as a preventive move to
keep the new generation ignorant about other side of the coin—from Pakistani
media, while continuing Indian propaganda against. Nevertheless, more shocking
aspect is that there is not lack of supporters of Indian TV channels in
Pakistan. These internal elements neglect the fact that the Indian media, news
or entertainment tend to malign Pakistan and to dominate its culture rather
than to entertain the audience. In fact, Indian film industry often makes
movies against Pakistan which project our country as a villain.
Pakistan-bashing,
denigrating Pakistan and burning its flag are common in Hindi films. Such films
are exempted from heavy taxes and win prestigious awards, even if they totally
flop in the It is mentionable that with the rapid development of science, range
of the TV channels has been extended to many countries. And, India has deliberately been sending high
electronic waves so that its cultural propaganda could reach every part of
Pakistan. In this respect, particularly, Indian films, dramas and special-shows
which display dances and songs including cartoons and caricatures are full of
obscenity and vulgarity. These sorts of entertainment, seen by our youngsters
and teenagers are negatively influencing their minds, as being immature; they
are becoming more prone to Indian media’s propaganda campaign. It is
regrettable that owing to the absence of a clear-cut media policy, some
renowned private TV channels of Pakistan are also following suit, and present
dance competition shows in imitation of Indian programmes by displaying, as if
dance is a part of our culture. There is also a misconception among the
supporters of Indian channels in our country that both the neighbouring
countries share a common culture.
Pakistan’s
viewers must know that in one of his speeches, while explaining separate
culture of Muslims, Quaid-e-Azam said, “We are a nation with our own
distinctive culture and civilization, language and literature, art and
architecture, names and nomenclature, sense of values and proportion, legal
laws and moral code, customs and calendar, history and tradition, aptitudes and
ambitions; in short, we have our own distinctive outlook on life and of life.” There
are number of countries which allow access of their citizens to the
government-controlled Internet only. In order to protect the nation
particularly the youth, the concerned authorities must take immediate note of
Indian cultural penetration in Pakistan, against our traditions, and values. In
this connection, first of all, the right option is that Indian contents should
be banned in Pakistan. For the purpose, proper legislation or law could
prohibit TV channels and cable networks which show Indian programmes. And,
there is need to promote our own culture by helping our TV channels and film
industry, making them lucrative so that Pakistani talent could divert their
energies in serving their own audience. Once Pakistani artists and audience are
satisfied with local means of entertainment, they will not depend on Indian
channels. Media houses should also realize their responsibilities and
discourage facilitating or proliferating the Indian contents and help the
government in its drive. Nonetheless, Indian cultural invasion needs to be
stopped through a strong national commitment to ‘Say no to Indian cultural
onslaught’ and ‘No Indian movies’ in Pakistan.
Sajjad
Shaukat writes on international affairs and is author of the book: US vs
Islamic Militants, Invisible Balance of Power: Dangerous Shift in International
Relations
Email:
sajjad_logic@yahoo.com
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