Government-sponsored AIDS programme obscene : Opposition

Kolkata, Jul 20 (UNI) Cutting across their political differences, members in the West Bengal Assembly today described the government -sponsored AIDS prevention programmes as "obscene" and demanded its immediate withdrawal.

Raising the issue during the mention hour, senior All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) member Sovandeb Chattopadhyay said the ongoing AIDS prevention programme was not only very obsecene, but was creating a very bad impression on the minds of children and other young people as it was against the age old value system.

He said through the fictitious character called "Buladi", an unethical media campaign had been launched by the AIDS Prevention Programme committee despite being fully aware of that it was against the basic human values.

Citing some examples, where "Buladi" was asking people to keep contraceptives in handy for having instant pleasure, Mr Chattopadhyay and some other members said equally corrupt messages were beng sent to the people from the FM Radio by the AIDS prevention programme and demanded their immediate withdrawal for the sake of posterity.

The members, however, made it clear that they were not against the AIDS prevention programme but was definitely against the way it was being promulgated. " We all know the danger associated with AIDS and HIV, but want that the message should be spread in a more meaningful and gentle manner, " Mr Chattopadhyay emphasised.

At least for a change all members from both the ruling and Opposition benches supported the AITC member's suggestion and supported his request for the immediate change of the media campaign.

UNI ABA SJC/src1803