The Punjab government has decided to ban the sale, purchase and playing of sexist, vulgar songs. The state government has told the Punjab and Haryana high court that it was close to finalizing a policy to ban such songs with obscene and anti-woman lyrics.
The statement came on a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by HELP, a Nawanshehar-based NGO, which had sought the ban after the controversy sparked off by Punjabi singer Honey Singh, dis (credited) with singing many such lewd songs.
The PIL filed had sought directions from the court to set up some effective mechanism for curbing the menace of obscene songs in Punjab. The petition referred to a song "Main Hoon Balatkari" which crossed all limits of decency. It was further stated that women have the 'right to dignity' and this fundamental right cannot be violated in the garb of 'right to freedom of speech'.