Certain TV game shows are being hosted in a very crude manner and are hurting the sensibilities of the viewers. DUS KA DUM, being hosted by “Macho Man” Salman Khan is one such.

In the episode telecast on 21.06.08, the final runner up had been disclosed. Whereupon he called his wife, who had brought some sweets from Kolkata. Courtesy has it that, Salman should have taken it from her. Instead the lady in question, offered to put it in his mouth. Then the lady proceeded to shower encomium on the matinee idol saying that his maiden film “Maine Pyar Kiya” overwhelmed her, especially, the song sequence.  Salman, never the one to amiss the opportunity, to charm a lady, told her that she should dance with him. The lady could not hide her fascination for the actor and went through the entire dance sequence, hugging him, embracing and leaving nothing to imagination. And the beleaguered husband was standing as a mute witness to the whole episode-putting up an ‘it-is-okay-with-me’ face.

The other game shows and quizzes hosted by celebrities, have been very dignified. Amittabh Bachhan during his Kaun Banega Crorepati days was the personification of dignity. Shah Rukh Khan was a brat, even then his dealings with members of the opposite sex, did not ruffle any feathers. The vast majority of viewers cannot accept what Salman has done.

There is no point in shrugging of reactions like mine as ‘old mindset’/ conservative etc. I am very much a part of India and am able to realize that the winds of change are blowing over. But it has to be gradual. One has to ready the society to accept certain changes. Individuals- separately or collectively seldom like to be told, what is to be done and what not? Nor am I taking up a moral policing stand.

The lady in question might have unbridled admiration for the actor. But when she does something in front of the camera, she must have been a little more careful. What kind of reaction this is going to produce? What will be the impact on the housewives watching this program? Let’s accept, the vast majority of our women folk, believe in one-man-one-woman concept.

The ultra-progressive amongst us will brand me as a villain saying that Individual liberties are to be respected. If the lady wants to jump and roll with a particular guy, in front of her husband, and if it suits the husband, what is seemingly my problem? My complaint is, had this been done within the 4 walls of their house, I would have nothing to say. But when it is being done in front of a national audience, little more should have been exercised. Public Domain is sacred space.