Legal notice for stopping production, broadcast of romance-based dramas, films

Md Mahmudul Hasan Mamun, a lawyer of the Supreme Court, has sent a legal notice to the government in public interest demanding a ban on the production and broadcast of love and romance-based dramas and films on Thursday (August 27).

The notice has been issued to the cabinet secretary, secretary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, secretary of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs and chairman of the Bangladesh Film Censor Board.

The notice stated that an excess of love and overly romantic content has been created in the country’s films and dramas. As a result, the youth and students are becoming inattentive to studies and career, it claimed. It also mentioned that social and moral values are being damaged by presenting extramarital and illicit relationships as normal and glorified.

The notice further claimed that unrestricted display of such content has a connection with the increase in social anarchy, extramarital affairs and crimes like rape. It also stated that administrative steps are necessary to protect the youth from so-called moral degradation and to maintain family values.

The legal notice referred to articles 21(1), 23 and 39 of the Constitution. It said there is scope for imposing reasonable restrictions on the freedom of speech and expression through law in the interest of social order, national culture, decency and morality.

The notice demanded strict restrictions only on romance-based dramas and films, along with effective steps for the production and broadcast of films and dramas based on science, education, history, the Liberation War and defence.

For this, the concerned authorities have been asked to take necessary administrative measures within the next 10 days and inform about the steps taken. If measures are not taken within the stipulated time, a writ petition will be filed in the High Court in public interest under article 102 of the Constitution demanding protection of public morality and national culture, the notice stated.