OCTOBER 03, 2012 The Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) led by Mohan Baidya has launched a campaign to ban the use of Hindi films in Nepal thereby challenging people's right to freedom of expression and information.
Due to the ban, several film halls in the capital city have been closed and the FM stations and local televisions in various parts of the country halted their service.
As the film is also a medium of freedom of expression, it is a universal matter and never bound by any frontier. The Maoist party's ban on Indian/Hindi film in the name of nationalism is just an extremist thought and against human rights.
Article 19 of the UDHR says, "Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers."
The ban on Hindi films is therefore blatant violation of freedom of expression and information.
CPN-Maoist, which is a newly formed party with the split from the ruling Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) has continued the activities that are posing threats to democratic norms and values. It has been unleashing terror among people giving the sense of insurgency period.
If there were anything wrong in content, it could be questioned with due process, but showing objection on language is extremist idea to suppress people's right to know.
On the other hand, the government has failed to give security to film halls for smooth running of the show. It is quite worrying.
Freedom Forum therefore vehemently condemns the Maoist party's ban on Indian film. It strongly urges the government and concerned authorities to look into the case and bring the unruly party to book.
For more information,
Freedom Forum
monitoring@freedomforum.org.np
01-4102030/ 4102022