Freedom of speech not absolute: Centre as 'Sarke Chunar' row reaches Lok Sabha
India Today
The controversy over the song "Sarke Chunar" reached the Lok Sabha, where the Centre defended its ban, saying freedom of speech is subject to "reasonable restrictions" in line with societal and cultural norms.
A controversy over the viral song 'Sarke Chunar' from the upcoming film KD The Devil reached Parliament on Wednesday, with the government confirming that the track has been banned following backlash over its explicit lyrics.
The issue was raised in the Lok Sabha by Samajwadi Party MP Anand Bhadouria, who flagged concerns over the growing influence of unchecked content on digital platforms.
Responding in the House, Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the government had already acted against the song.
“A ban has been imposed. Freedom of speech cannot be absolute; it must operate within reasonable restrictions in the context of society and culture,” he said.
Vaishnaw added that with content spreading rapidly on digital platforms, the government is prepared to take “strict action” to safeguard vulnerable groups, including women and children.
The song, featuring Sanjay Dutt and Nora Fatehi, was released on YouTube earlier this week and quickly went viral, drawing criticism for lyrics widely seen as sexually explicit. The backlash led to the Hindi version of the track being taken down from social media platforms.
Rajya Sabha polls expose cracks in Congress discipline, with absenteeism and cross-voting costing key seats. Leadership struggles to rein in dissent, raising urgent questions about internal control and state-level coordination.
A man brought a foetus to the Madhya Pradesh High Court seeking sympathy for his family's suffering. The petition was dismissed as unsubstantiated, with the court warning against theatrical gestures in judicial proceedings.
When the victim realised what had transpired for 48 hours, he lodged an FIR with the Cyber Crime Police in Greater Noida. Cyber crime officials said that they will investigate the matter further.
When the fire erupted, a few people jumped from the building to save themselves. However, many were trapped after the fire engulfed the only exit route of the building.
Notorious gangster Kundan Thakur, who openly threatened police in a call, was killed in an encounter in Bihar's Motihari that also left a constable and another criminal dead.
Suspicious movements inside the sack prompted the staff to open it. What they found shocked everyone in the office – an elderly man struggling to breathe.
Air travel rules are set for a shake-up as the government cracks down on hidden charges and pushes airlines to prioritise passengers. What changes for your next flight and what airlines must now do.
A domestic dispute turns deadly on Mumbai's lifeline, sparking a dramatic CCTV-led chase across cities. How police tracked the accused within hours and what led to the shocking crime unfolds inside.
Her health deteriorated after she had her tooth extracted at a private clinic in Hariharganj town. She was rushed to the Community Health Center. However, doctors could not save her.
The government told the Bombay High Court that the situation remains dynamic due to international developments, and emphasised that it may not be appropriate to deliberate such matters within court proceedings. He assured the bench that the government is taking all necessary remedial measures to ensure that global disruptions do not adversely impact domestic supply of LPG.
Rahul, a school operator from Delhi, had been struggling with mental stress and health problems. The police confirmed no suicide note was found, and the bodies were sent for post-mortem before being handed to the family.
PM speaks to UAE President Al Nahyan over phone, discusses importance of safe passage through Strait of Hormuz