Indian (Hindi) cultural invasion should be stopped. The occupied nations of Tamils, Assamese, Nagas, Manipurans, Tripurans, Mizos, Telugus, Keralans, Goans, Sikhs are sick and tired of crappy Indian films/TV which are corrupting and destroying their culture. Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and Afghanistan should learn from them. Keep the ban on Indian films and TV indefinitely!
Separatists issue edict against Hindi films
Thursday November 20, 2004
The Guardian
Bollywood films have been banned by rebel groups throughout India’s troubled north-eastern region because their “erotic song and dance numbers” have been deemed a bad influence on young minds.
In a rare show of solidarity, nine armed separatist groups across five states, including Assam, have issued an edict against the popular Hindi films from Bombay’s film factories.
“Hindi films are part of an ugly Indian media campaign of cultural aggression, endangering the very survival of the unique cultural identity of the indigenous people,” said a tribal Bodo rebel leader in Assam.
A similar ban, imposed two years ago, is in place in Manipur state, which borders Burma.
Soldiers and armed police have begun guarding cinemas, as well as the homes and offices of people involved in the film industry.
Film distributors initially tried to reason with the rebel leaders, and even offered to snip “titillating” scenes from Bollywood romances.
But the rebels refused the offer, saying that their objections were not just to cinematic “obscenity” but to “Indian cultural imposition”.
Bollywood produces a few hundred Hindi films every year and dominates India’s film business, often snuffing out more authentic regional cinema. But in Assam and Manipur, regional cinema survives.
The rebel groups have been seeking to channel resentment against Bollywood, and hostility towards Indians who come from outside the north-eastern region remains high.
