Now, a TV series to create legal awareness among people

 Ye jo system hai na... will deal with issues ranging from domestic violence to underpaid cops
 EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE
OCTOBER 30

YEH system ko badalne jao toh ye system tumhe hi badal deta hai'- a casual yet thought provoking dialogue from blockbuster Rang De Basanti best sums up the attitude of Indians towards the ‘system' prevalent in our country.

While many want to change it, very few are equipped with the knowledge and the determination to do so. Keeping this in mind, the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative along with United Nations Development Programme and the Strengthened Access to Justice in India (SAJI) - a project of Department of Justice, Government of India - has come up with a TV series Ye Jo System Hai Na that will try to increase the understanding of some basic laws in the Constitution among people that can in turn ensure social justice and equality. The series will also focus on how best the system could be approached and made responsive while dealing with social issues like domestic violence, dalit rights, minimum wages, dowry, crime, legal aid services, issues of caste, sexual harassment, child marriage etc. Among many others directors, Shimit Amin, director of films like Chak De India and Ab Tak Chappan, is actively involved in the making of the TV series.

"We thought that the format of a popular drama/soap was a good way of capturing the viewers' attention and making them aware of the legal rights that they are entitled to as citizens of this country. Popular TV actors and well known faces have acted in the episodes. Among several other issues, we will also focus on the plight of the policemen where they will get an opportunity to present their plight long working hours, less salary etc.," said Swati Kapoor, Media and Communications Offi cer, Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative.

While handcuffing the accused for minor offence, arresting someone in religious place, over dramatised court room scenes have become the norm of the day in TV serials, Kapoor added, "Those who make TV serials are responsible for spreading false impressions about law. People form misconceptions based on what they see in these soaps."

On Wednesday, a screening of the pilot episode of the series will be held at the Taj Lands End, Bandra, at 6.30 pm followed by a ten-minute film consisting of movie clips that wrongly portray law.
There will also be a discussion where people from various fields will share their views and put forward suggestions.

Publication : IE: Section : MN; Pg : 3; Date : 31/10/07

URL : http://70.86.150.130/indianexpress/ArticleText.aspx?article=31_10_2007_523_007