Papon Kisses Minor Girl Contestant of The Voice India Kids: Are Parents Pushing Their Children Irresponsibly?
Now, the same issue has surfaced once again and we seriously need to think about the suggestion to banning these kids reality shows.
Popular singer Papon is in the fresh controversy after a Facebook video went viral where he was spotted kissing a minor girl from 'The Voice India Kids' reality show. Instantly, a complaint was filed against him under Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. However, Papon's lawyer came out in the support of the 'Moh Moh Ke Dhaage' singer saying that the video was misleading. He also added that the girl's father has issued a statement saying that 'don't drag the issue' (What?). Well, all this scenario once again brings the kids reality shows into a negative light! The video is out and the viewers cannot help but observe the girl's expressions.
The matter is now in legal hands and we don't know what the girl in question has to say about the singing sensation. We have always been hearing that the reality shows are hampering the childhood of these little kids. But such incidents definitely give uninvited spotlight to the young beings. Even though, the girl's dad allegedly refused to 'drag' the issue, isn't she all over the news now?
Talking about reality shows for children, Taare Zameen Par maker Amol Gupte earlier told India.com,"Parents are responsible because they are taking the decision. I was shocked. Do you want to put your child through agony? Ads, reality shows and movies, everywhere there is the same thing because no body is governing it."
“There is no time constraint and children are made to work for 20 hours at stretch. Children are given coke and wafers in the vanity van just to make them special and after that, they have to return to the normal life. They get depressed after that sudden change. When I will turn producer, I will never allow this to happen on my set," Gupte added.
Not only Amol Gupte but 'October' director Shoojit Sircar also slammed this culture a few months ago. He had tweeted, “Humble request to authorities to urgently ban all reality shows involving children. It’s actually destroying them emotionally & their purity."
Just like Amol Gupte, even Shoojit Sircar holds the parents responsible for the strain on the kids. A leading daily quoted him saying, "First and foremost, it’s the fault of the parents, who can’t decide if it’s right or wrong to send their kids to such reality shows. There’s no limit to this insanity, insensitivity, and inhuman approach. It’s not always [about] the way the show-makers treat a child, but also about the content that’s being shown. The way you talk and joke creates an environment, and that matters a lot. You’re making fun of a [young] boy or girl, you are body-shaming them, and then putting the kids out to get scrutinised."
Now, the same issue has surfaced once again and we seriously need to think about the suggestion to banning these kids reality shows. Why is popularity at such a tender age so important for the parents? Will the girl enjoy the show now in the same way as she did before? Won't she be hurled with questions regarding the video, more than her ambition to be a singer? Is she not losing out on her childhood already? Time to think!
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 23, 2018 12:04 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).