Balika Vadhu, storms into Lok Sabha

MPs in Lok Sabha demanded a ban on teleserial Balika Vadhu on Tuesday prompting Information and Broadcasting minister Ambika Soni to announce an inquiry. The serial that comes on television channel Colors bucked the trend of saas-bahu soaps and got top ranking within weeks of its airing in 2008.

Janata Dal (United) leader Sharad Yadav termed showing marriage of a girl child in Balika Vadhu as being against the law during Question Hour. He was supported by several of his party members.

“I want to know whether the government will take action against serials like Balika Vadhu,” Yadav said. Soni said a committee would be constituted to look into Yadav’s complaint. “We have taken note of the issue and will inquire into it,” she said.

Colors did not respond to a Hindustan Times email on the issue. Earlier, the I&B ministry had found no merit on a similar complaint made by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights.

Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari said, “It’s a sensitive matter.” But added that the realities of the society could not be kept hidden and the Congress would not support any step to curb freedom of expression.