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Journalism of Courage
The National Commission for women (NCW) is divided on whether it should take cognizance of popular television serials to pick up serious issues like marital rape as in the case of Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi.
Commission chairperson Poornima Advani had sent a notice to the producer of the serial, Ekta Kapoor, asking her to explain why it showed a character raping his wife. The scene, according to Advani, had hurt the sensibilities of women.
For the second time, Ekta has failed to turn up for a hearing of the Commission and has said she was pre-occupied with her work. Advani said Kapoor had sought more time and the Commission was yet to decide on her request.
Sources said, the real reason for Advani keeping mum on Ekta’s defiance was because of the sharp reactions from other four members on the issue. It turns out that Advani had not discussed the issue with other members, who feel ‘‘the issue of marital rape was too sensitive to be addressed through Ekta Kapoor’s serials.’’
One senior member of the commission said ‘‘there was much more in Ekta Kapoor’s serials against women to be taken note of and not mere one scene.’’ Another member said ‘‘the marital rape should be … incorporated in the promised Bill on domestic violence.’’
