Pakistan

Toons on Trial: Committee again says it cannot ban Hindu cartoons

Committee submits report with CM Secretariat stating that Pemra is the only body authorised to impose such a ban.

Express February 06, 2011

LAHORE: A committee formed by the Punjab government has said that it does not have the authority to impose a proposed ban on cartoon channels airing shows on Hindu mythology.

The committee recently submitted a report with the Chief Minister’s Secretariat stating that the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) was the only body authorised to impose such a ban.

The Punjab government had formed a committee led by Senator Pervez Rashid to consider the closure of Indian cartoon channels after the issue was raised in the Punjab Assembly. Other members of the committee include Farah Deba, Mohsin Ali and officials from the Culture and Information Department.

A committee member urged Pemra to announce a ban on Indian cartoon channels. “Regardless of the government’s comments, these channels are disseminating Hindu culture and we cannot stand for this,” said Ali, adding that Pemra needed to take strict action.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 6^th, 2011.

COMMENTS (22)

Paras Vikmani | 13 years ago | Reply @ rajat thts not birbal thts shivaji maharaj...open ur eyes

antony | 13 years ago | Reply @T , The same feeling you expressed about Hindu cartoons , I and any one in india who are christians feel about the Muslim attire and they have a sense of bruteness ( local mass and not the exceptional elites) , They literally scares us who feel anytime muslim neighbourhood is ready to threaten police or people from outside their neighbourhood.. But since it is india we tolerate and keep all these feeling close doors.. No this thought was before 9/11 and from when i was growing up as a kid.. I think it works for all religious dressing for non believers.

VIEW MORE COMMENTS

T | 13 years ago | Reply Hindu cartoons used to scare me when I was a kid.. they are hideous and not even funny.. the attire they wear is beyond imagination.

Ashwin | 13 years ago | Reply Guys Chill they are only indian cartoons, if most pakistanis feel these cartoons challenge Islam and it's tenets, I am sure you can unsubscribe them simple isn't it.Cheers

Vikram Rao | 13 years ago | Reply I am amazed to see Pakistani responses on this web..what's the big deal if somebody says something bad about Islam or pakistan ?? Why can't you people take positively as a feedback or opinion only ??? Islamic fundamentalism is a threat to entire world including Pakistan. In India people are free to watch TV or movies from all over the world including on Islam...That's perhaps the reason why Pakistan is a doomed & failed democracy whereas India emerging world economy. I wish Pakistani people some wisdom to focus on real issues and good wishes for a peaceful existence.

CB Guy | 13 years ago | Reply I have no issues with your opinions, coz you are entitled to them. Let me make one thing clear, I am not a great supporter of Indian Bashing, it really doesn't bring us any favors. My whole point was and is, if there is Shirk in any thing, for example, star plus dramas, they should not be aired in Pakistan. Its an Islamic Republic, although merely by name but it still is. And you mentioned that Religions can not bind nations, i do not agree. Its more political motivations that push politicians to take people away from religion and towards their agenda. Nationalism to an extent is perfectly fine, but it should not be blind nationalism. Maintaining ones boundaries is crucial but it doesn't make your next door neighbor your enemy as we have seen in Iraq-Iran conflict.

allah+rakha | 13 years ago | Reply CB guy...Mughals did not bring urdu from anywhere it was a contraption and amalgamation to have a dialogue with the locals and that happenede in delhi or the delhi sultanate....not in peshawar or quetta nor in Karachi or Waziristan. That is why you dont find urdu in Afghanistan rather in Pakistan and India.Never in history of mankind religion could bind people...example East Pakistan or series of middle eastern countries (Iran and Iraq) or even Europe. Culture language practices have always been the binding force. I am not in favour of any religious affiliation and neither advocate hindu or islamic practices as all of it is man made propoganda of one class to rule over the other. I made that point of ancestry to make you cognizant that a majority of pakistanis have a warped understanding of the history including there origins that start from abu bin qasim...denying everything from Maurya to Chandragupta and Taxila to Lavapuri = Lahore or more recently Lyallpur to Faislabad. I wish Pakistan all the best and great success but its not going to happen with perpetual India bashing and a constant confrontational mode with India, and now Iran and Afghanistan as well. Na sukh hai na dukh hai NA deen hai na duniya Na insan hai na bhgawaan hai bas mainhoon main hoon sirf main....

CB Guy | 13 years ago | Reply From some of the comments above i concede that that since India is a growing economy so we must all bow our heads down in humility and be grateful to them for our useless existence. Here is my take on the situation. Our identity is supposed to be based around our religion. Our local traditions will vary at every different location, that has to happen but just because we lived with Hindus, it does not mean we become them and advocate for their belief based cartoons. Now most people would find this as conservative babblery but these cartoons are actually following their lead from Pavlov's Classical Conditioning. I am sure their primary purpose is to serve Indian population but the makers wouldn't mind sending their message across the border. As for Urdu, do get your facts straight, Urdu means Lashkari. Mughal emperors had soldiers who spoke different languages, mostly Arabs and Persians and to communicate, they made an effort, and Urdu was the result. I do not feel the need to stop speaking Urdu simply coz Religious difference was the top reason of creation of Pakistan, Urdu-Hindi conflict was 2nd in the list. And also, one of the gentlemen said that most Muslims used to be Hindus or Sikhs. Well not most but I am sure a good no would be a few hundred years back. So should one continue on the Hinduistic rituals, that defy Islamic norms coz Great Grand Daddy's old man was a Hindu? May be you can join his religious beliefs as well, get closer to your ancestors. As for the movies, I watch Bolloywood as well as hollywood as well as anything else that is good. I do not claim to be free from Indian media invasion. Though i prefer Pakistani and English music simply coz its better. lastly, I find it strange that Pakistani's can actually find excuses to justify cartoon's being aired on TV with hindu religious characters. I can and would change the darn channel without wasting a second but what about a 3 year old? would he or she know to change or would they watch whatever is on? Most parents wouldn't know what their kids watch on TV and they don't care either. There have been several instances in Islamabad when kids expressed surprise that why there were no phera's in the marriage. Draw your own opinions and conclusions, I have mine and i have no issues with them.

Rajat | 13 years ago | Reply @PriyaSuraj Sorry, my bad!! Its been a long tome since I've opened my Amar Chitra Kathas..... Those were the good days!!

Obed | 13 years ago | Reply This is crazy... weare turning into a nation of bigots and hypocrytes...

Somdet | 13 years ago | Reply @ CB Guy "I am sure if Pakistani cartoons preaching Islam where being aired in India, they probably wouldn’t be waiting for committees to take cation." Common man- cartoons / pictures in Islam - you must be joking. dont u know islam dont allow cartoons on islamic characters. its akeen to apostacy.

allah+rakha | 13 years ago | Reply CB guy -How many times people in Pakistan have to be reminded that they unfortunately share more or a majority of there culture with India. For those people who are denying this please read the article about Kalyan and taxila in this very paper today. Dont forget all of you were either hindus or budhhists for much longer time than muslims. Furthermore you have always been a part of India or Hindustan and its only 60 odd years you have been different. Again unfortunately for you, India is a growing economy and is able to effectively spread its culture westwards without the religious paint to it. Now if you are so hell bent on not having Indian culture as you call it-.. you can start with giving up urdu completely because its origins lie in India. Forget mehendi,walima, your music based on sarega mapa...names like shaila, meera, veena last names like choudhary, rao, nayyar...what are you trying to prove. Finally ask your governmet not to allow Indian cinema or tv to your country. That is how it was for most of the years after 1965. Fact is bollywood is not making movies for you..you need entertainment from bollywood because your people for some reason have lost the ability to entertain you. India is not focing its movies or channels to you...you are willfully buying the rights to telecast them...And India already has islamic and national urdu channels but does not run cartoons on them as you may be aware in islam it is prohibited to potray the prophet...we respect that..and are indeede are not like you..I mean intellectually Mr.CB guy

deep | 13 years ago | Reply I cannot imagine that any Indian-made cartoon can be watchable. Surely the kids of Punjab have better taste in animation and they watch the Disney cartoons.

S. Aziz | 13 years ago | Reply @CB Guy: You said 97% are muslims what about the 3% minority. My advice.. change the channel next time you come across a hindu cartoon.

S. Aziz | 13 years ago | Reply What are we turning into? A nation of bigots.

Suresh | 13 years ago | Reply How do people in Pakistan believe, that these cartoons are religiously Hindu. Why Japanese or Brazilians do not, and believe instead as some kind of adventure stories like Superman or Spider man.

PriyaSuraj | 13 years ago | Reply @Rajat: Sorry to point this out here but the cartoon is of Shivaji Maharaj..anyway other than I totally agree with you.

Qureshi | 13 years ago | Reply As they say, Khali demagh shaitan ka ghar. If indian movies, songs and 100 episode soaps can be religiously followed then what harm will some cartoons do? Bizarre to say the least.

CB Guy | 13 years ago | Reply Very simply, Hindu beliefs are contradictory to Islam. We live in a country where 97% population is Muslim. There is no point in delaying any kind of ban on this content. I am sure if Pakistani cartoons preaching Islam where being aired in India, they probably wouldn't be waiting for committees to take cation. It is the moral duty of cable service providers not to air any such channels.

anonymous | 13 years ago | Reply The lack of awareness in India media is reflective as its people are getting here to comment on Pakistani news. Cheap stances.

Ashwin | 13 years ago | Reply HAHAHA funny senator wonder what his electorate think of him.Aren't Muslims living and practicing in India.Doesn't he think young children of India, Muslim or otherwise watch these cartoons.I guess he is not very confident of the practice of ISLAM in the citadel of ISLAM.

Rajat | 13 years ago | Reply Wow, the whole country in on the throes terrorism and a crippled economy, yet does the assembly of your most powerful province, have nothing better to do than to raise an issue to ban cartoons? Is the faith, so much under threat, that a government has to ban other religious content? Switch off the TV if it troubles you so much. By the by, the image shown is of Birbal, of Akbar and Birbal fame, definitely not a "Hindu" mythology cartoon!

Replying to X

Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.

For more information, please see our Comments FAQ

Entertainment

Keanu Reeves unsure about ‘John Wick 5’: "I don’t know if my knees can do it.”

Jack Quaid reveals Meg Ryan and Dennis Quaid’s initial hesitation about his acting career

Updated 1 hour ago

Jack Quaid opens up about his parents’ initial reluctance toward his acting ambitions and their eventual support.
Olivia Hussey, star of 'Romeo and Juliet', dies at 73 after battling breast cancer

Updated 1 hour ago

Renowned for her role in Romeo and Juliet, Olivia Hussey has passed away at 73 after struggling with illness.
Franka Potente announces she’s breast cancer free after secret diagnosis

Updated 12 hours ago

Actress reveals she’s cancer free after battling breast cancer, encouraging early detection and second opinions.
Kanye West criticized for using Nazi symbol in new Yeezy clothing line

Updated 13 hours ago

Ye faces backlash after his new Yeezy collection includes clothing with a symbol linked to Nazi Germany.