Ashwini Vaishnaw confirms ban on Nora Fatehi's 'Sarke Chunariya' song: 'Freedom of speech cannot be absolute'

The controversy broke out shortly after the release of the song featuring Nora Fatehi and Sanjay Dutt

• Government bans 'Sarke Chunariya' song after public outrage
• Minister cites Article 19(2) for restrictions on free speech
• Song criticised for vulgar lyrics and visuals objectifying women

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The union government has officially banned the song ‘Sarke Chunariya’, featuring actor Nora Fatehi, following outrage over its lyrics and visuals.

Amid reports on Tuesday that the government had directed the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to take strict action against the song, union information and broadcasting minister Ashwini Vaishnaw confirmed the move in the Lok Sabha.

He was responding to a query raised by Samajwadi Party MP Anand Bhadouria.

"The song has already been banned," Vaishnaw said, as quoted by news agency ANI. "I would like to say this clearly that we should follow the reasonable restrictions imposed by the creators of the Constitution of India on freedom of speech," he added.

Referring to provisions under Article 19(2) of the Constitution of India, the minister noted that the law allows restrictions on free speech to safeguard public order, decency, morality, and other factors.

"Freedom of speech cannot be absolute. It has to be in the context of society and culture. We must follow the reasonable restrictions imposed by the creators of the Constitution," he said, adding, "And in that, very carefully, in the coming time, the way things are spreading rapidly today through digital means, in that, for the protection of the society, especially for the protection of children, for the protection of women, for the protection of the deprived groups of the society, whatever hard actions should be taken, the government is ready to take them."

The controversy broke out shortly after the release of the song featuring Nora Fatehi and Sanjay Dutt from the film 'KD: The Devil', with critics alleging that it included vulgar lyrics and visuals that objectified women.

The backlash intensified rapidly, as several individuals and organisations demanded action against the creators. Complaints were filed seeking an FIR and the song’s removal, fuelling public debate just days before the issue reached Parliament.