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 Pakistan.
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 and core values.
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 Pakistani programmes.
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 Pakistan.
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 Indian cinemas.
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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