In a pointed address at the annual Vijayadashami rally of the RSS in Nagpur, Chief Mohan Bhagwat expressed deep concern over the influence of Over-the-Top (OTT) platforms on the younger generation. He asserted that these platforms are disseminating ‘distorted propaganda’ and ‘poor values,’ negatively impacting the minds, words, and actions of young Indians.
Bhagwat highlighted the widespread availability of mobile phones among children, emphasizing the lack of control over the content they are exposed to. He deemed the content portrayed on OTT platforms as ‘disgusting’ and a violation of decency, advocating for the establishment of a legal framework to regulate such content. He stated, “There seems to be an urgent need for legal monitoring over advertisements and perverted visual content in our homes and society.”
The RSS, in a statement on X (formerly Twitter), echoed Bhagwat’s sentiments, calling for regulation of the content on OTT platforms. “There is little to no control over OTT platforms on what is being shown. Lot of content is so disgusting that even mentioning it would be a violation of decency. There is an urgent need of laws over the perverted visual content reaching our homes esp children,” the RSS stated.
Bhagwat further linked the content on OTT platforms with the rise of drug addiction, claiming that both are contributing to the erosion of traditional values, particularly the concept of ‘Maatrivat Paradaareshu’ – the respect and honor owed to women. He condemned the recent R G Kar Hospital rape and murder case in Kolkata, highlighting the alleged efforts by some individuals to protect the criminals. “But even after such a heinous crime, the despicable efforts made by some people to protect the criminals show how the nexus of crime, politics and poisonous culture is ruining us,” Bhagwat said.
Bhagwat emphasized the importance of upholding traditional values, specifically ‘Maatrivat Paradaareshu,’ which he described as a cornerstone of Indian culture passed down through generations. He criticized the lack of awareness and neglect of such values in both families and the media, arguing that the entertainment and educational content consumed by society is contributing to this decline. “We will have to revive the system of enlightening these traditional values through family, society and media,” he urged.
