Reality shows can be exploitative, and they lower the thinking and morality of some of the viewers and participants.
LONDON: This is with reference to Raza Rumi’s article of December 24 titled “Veena Malik and the moral brigade”.
I never thought that the day would come when I, a liberal Indian Hindu settled in the UK for the last 25 years, would have found something in common with the so-called ghairat brigade.
No, I am not advocating violence against Veena Malik or talking about taking away from her the right to cross the border to take part in " Big Boss 4". I am simply bemoaning the fact that the worst of western society is percolating into Indian, and now even Pakistani, society.
Reality shows in the UK can be cruelly exploitative, and they lower the thinking and morality of some of the viewers and participants. Furthermore, they often cross all borders of taste and aren’t really for everyone.
Given that, the West could be excused for some of this because it has much of its house in order. It has built for its citizens an excellent social safety and welfare system and this has more or less eliminated poverty. Western nations have excellent institutions which provide good and affordable education, healthcare and justice. As for us, we in India or Pakistan have none of this. And despite that, we are plunging headlong into promiscuity.
There was a time I used to cringe when Rakhi Sawant would come on screen. I don’t anymore – and for that I must thank Veena Malik.
Dev Mishra
Published in The Express Tribune, December 27th, 2010.
