To, The State Minister, Information and Broadcasting, Mantralay, Nariman Point, Mumbai. INDIA. Subject: Complaint regarding derogatory remarks on women by a reputed radio channel in Mumbai. Respected Madam/Sir, While we consider media as the 4th pillar of democracy in our country, we can also observe that it is not performing up to its mark, particularly in the case of women. There are many T. V. serials, movies, reality shows, album songs which portray negative, derogatory and regressive images of women and enforce women only as sex objects, objects of desire or the ones who can be controlled easily by coercion. This directly & indirectly puts women as a secondary citizen and therefore they do not enjoy equality of status in the society. These negative images enforce gender stereotypes, gender insensitivity and therefore create gender inequality. In a society like India where culture, tradition is spoken every now and then, moral policing is rampant, but at the same time people wish to watch these negative, regressive images of women and do nothing about it. Previously it was (it is still) rampant only in T.V. serials, movies, album songs. But now after the \'Radio FM\' revolution in the country, even they have started to line up with audio-visual media. Recently a reputed radio channel from Mumbai, Radio 91.1 FM (Radio City) on 21st March 2008 in 15:05-15:10 Pm played a clip which made a derogatory remark on air. It goes like this: \"woh muuchh hi kya jise fera nahi jaata, woh ladki hi kya jise chheda nahi jaata.\" (\'What Is A Mustache That Can\'t Be Curled Up, What Is A Girl Who Is Not Teased.\') This statement violates: Fundamental Duties with regards to women, Self Segulatory Guidelines for the Broadcasting Sector, 2008. (content certification rules, 2008, theme 7: harm & offence, point no.8) It also misuses Fundamental Rights: Freedom Of Expression (Art.19) as enshrined in the Constitution. When eve teasing is rampant all over the country (with its graph increasing), women cannot move out freely, they are always tensed about who is the next to tease them (physically, mentally or verbally), this statement from a reputed radio channel is sure to enforce and promote eve teasing. Instead of going against eve teasing during holi festival, they are reinforcing it. This is an utter shame on the part of the 4th pillar of our democracy: marred by insensitivity towards female gender. Moreover it even enforces patriarchy, superiority of the male gender over the female by talking about men having a mustache and directly relating it to teasing women. We as citizens of India, request you to take a quick and stern action against the radio channel, the content writer, the content editor and the radio jockey himself. We expect a public apology from the company and from all of them who are related to the show. (on a particular date & at a particular time) and also that the company should be fined as per the rules and regulations of our respected Constitution. We hope this serious issue is redressed quickly and adequate measures are taken that such remarks are not passed; particularly on air. (be it any form of media) -- In Solidarity, Dnyeyam- Know Yourself, A Social Organisation. Email: dnyeyam@gmail.com

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