Legal Notice Seeks Halt to Romance-Based Dramas and Films

A legal notice has been sent to the government seeking an end to the production and broadcast of dramas and films focused solely on love and romance, citing concerns over moral decline among young people, social discipline and the development of creative talent.

Supreme Court lawyer Md Mahmudul Hasan Mamun issued the notice in the public interest on Thursday (August 27).

The Cabinet Secretary, secretaries of the Information and Broadcasting Ministry and the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, and the chairman of the Bangladesh Film Censor Board were notified about the legal notice.

The notice claims that the country’s drama and film industry is currently dominated by romantic content and that the continued broadcast of such productions is creating cultural imbalance. It further alleges that excessive romantic content is causing young people and students to lose focus on their education and careers.

It also claims that some dramas and films portray extramarital affairs and relationships outside marriage as normal or desirable, which the notice says could undermine the country’s existing moral and social values.

Referring to Articles 21(1), 23 and 39 of the Constitution, the lawyer said reasonable restrictions may be imposed in the interests of decency and morality while protecting social order and national culture.

The notice called for strict restrictions on dramas and films based solely on romance, while urging the authorities to take effective measures to promote productions focused on science, education, history, the Liberation War and national defence.

The authorities have been given 10 days to take the necessary administrative measures and inform the lawyer of the steps taken.

If no appropriate action is taken within the stipulated period, the notice warned that a public-interest writ petition would be filed before the High Court under Article 102 of the Constitution to protect public morality and national culture.