The government imposing a ban on condom ads on television during the day, from 6 am to 10 pm, is winning its share of brickbats. Now comes a salvo, from former Censor Board Chairperson, Pahlaj Nihalani. He has tweeted to the Smriti Irani-headed Information And Broadcasting (I&B) ministry saying, “Use of Condoms helps nation stay safe and in control of population. To ensure kids don’t come in contact, #CondomAds not to run between 6:00 am to 10:00 pm. But then what about pan masala ads? They are a serious hazard to health.”
Nihalani makes a very valid point, as pan masala is a confirmed cancer-causing substance, and is also prohibited in several states. Doctors vouch that its rampant advertisement violates the Cable &TV network act, and promotes unhealthy practice leading to mouth cancer of epidemic proportion. What’s more, as it is extensively marketed as a mouth freshener and glamorised by various celebrity brand ambassadors, its reach is immense.
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Fact also remains that Nihalani does not miss a chance to evidently strike back at I&B Minister, Smriti, who was allegedly behind his dismissal from the CBFC. When adman and lyricist Prasoon Joshi was named the new CBFC chief on August 11, Pahlaj had held her responsible for his exit, claiming that it was “her ego” that was behind his sacking. Back then he had declared, “The day Smriti Irani took over as the I and B minister, the only hang-up was Indu Sarkar. Smriti Irani is the issue. Whichever ministry she has been to, she has shown her presence, she has dominated it.”
Madhur Bhandarkar's film on the Emergency, Indu Sarkar, had been the bone of contention between Smriti Irani and Nihalani. While the CBFC asked for several cuts in the film, Irani apparently asked Nihalani to clear Indu Sarkar without cuts. His refusal to do so, hurt Smriti Irani's ego and resulted in his departure from the board.
Ironically, while Nihalani had been trolled mercilessly for his ‘sanskaari’ and puritanical attitude when it came to snipping ‘objectionable’ scenes, Smriti is taking his mission forward. Birds of a feather, after all?
