Controversy over 'Balbir Pasha' campaign

[Guest guest]

PRESS RELEASE/ AIDS & Balbir Pasha

January 12, 2003

CONFUSION, MISINFORMATION & ARROGANCE CONTINUES DESPITE UPROAR

Yet another bout of 'Balbir Pasha' advertisement shows the confusion,

misinformation, anti-woman stance and arrogance of the perpetrators of the

controversial campaign, despite wide-ranging uproar in the society against it.

Thanks to lackadaisical state machinery and tolerance of people at large, the

plush Balbir Pasha campaign with advertisement on billboards, in print and

electronic continues unabated in spite of poor contents and 'bad taste'. The

campaign lacks sensitivity and wiser counsel. The Government's decision to

conduct inquiry in the campaign and its perpetrator a US-based multi-national

corporate NGO, as also the assurance by the Minister of State for Home, Mr.

Kripa Shankar Singh on the floor of the Maharashtra Legislative Council last

month in Nagpur to ban the 'Balbir Pasha' campaign, are yet to be implemented.

In the meanwhile, on the complaint filed by Peoples Health Organisation (India),

the Maharashtra State Women's Commission, has summoned the Population Services

International (PSI) before the commission. The hearing will be at 11 am on 14th

January 2003 at its office in MHADA Building, Bandra (East). Chairperson

Advocate Nirmala Samant Prabhawalkar under section 12 (2), of the Maharashtra

State Commission for Women (Act No, XV of 1993), has issued the Notice of

Explanation, regarding the advertisement under the title of " Balbir Pasha " and

invited several NGO representatives, women rights activists, experts for

deciding the strategy to deal with such sexist campaigns. The commission is a

quasi-judicial body, established to protect the status and dignity of women

guaranteed under the Indian Constitution.

The fresh salvo of the sexist campaign launched today reads, 'Balbir Pasha sirf

swastha dikhanewalon se sambandh rakhta hai. Par dekhane se pata nahin chalta

kise AIDS hai.' (Balbir Pasha has sex only with healthy looking. But, you cannot

make out who has AIDS from the look). The confusion prevails as Balbir Pasha is

shown to have multiple partners now; while earlier shown having 'Manjula' as a

regular partner; once shown he has AIDS and then shown he doesn't have. Previous

advertisements read: Balbir Pasha ki Regular Sirf Manjula Hai; par Manjula ke

Kai Regular Hai. (Manjula is regular of Balbir Pasha, but Manjula has many

regulars); " Balbir Pasha Sharab ke Nashe mein Condom Lagana Bhool Jata Hoga. Ek

Baar bhi Condom na Lagaane se AIDS Ho Sakata Hai! " (Balbir Pasha may have

forgotten condom under the influence of alcohol); " Balbir Pasha ko AIDS Hoga

Kya? - Nahin. Kyonki wah ek Samazdar aur Jimmedar Insan Hai " (Balibr Pasha is an

unerstanding and responsible person).

After mystery of 'Balbir Pasha' started un-folding, it became disgusting day by

day, a dastardly act to push the sale of a particular brand of condom, marketed

by PSI. It turned out to be an insensitive and immoral campaign, unexpected of

from one of most HIV-aware city. Some of the myths and misinformation

perpetrated from this campaign are: AIDS is transmitted only from woman to man;

only those consuming alcohol can get AIDS; even faithful partners not using

condom can get AIDS; AIDS is transmitted only through sex and an infected person

gets AIDS directly. Joining the bandwagon, one Reshma Enterprise has made a

pornographic film " Balbir Pasha ko AIDS Ho Gaya, Kaise? ..AIDS and Blind Sex "

produced and directed by unknown people. While one NGO has played opportunist,

by putting up banners saying: " Aao Milkar Hath Bantaye; Balbir Pasha ko AIDS se

Bachayen " , as if they have a Cure or A Vaccine.

PHO will continue its efforts to enlighten socially conscious citizens, women

organizations, and sex workers, people with HIV/AIDS to ban the 'Balbir Pasha'

campaign forthwith, as it has disastrous consequences.

Dr.I.S.Gilada, Secretary General, PHO & Consultant in HIV/AIDS

Peoples Health Organisation (India)

Municipal School Building, J.J. Hospital Compd, Mumbai-400008

Tel.(22)-23719020

Telefax: 23864433 Web: www.aidsasia.info E-mail: ihoaids@...