Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Raghav Chadha recently stirred a significant debate in the Rajya Sabha by addressing the pervasive issue of piracy plaguing the film and OTT industries. In a compelling speech, Chadha revealed that piracy causes an annual loss of Rs 20,000 crore to the film industry, exacerbated by a 62% surge in online piracy during the pandemic.
Raghav Chadha shared a clip of his powerful speech on social media, emphasizing the urgent need for stronger legislative measures to combat digital piracy. He pointed out that the existing Cinematographic (Amendment) Bill, passed a year ago, lacks a robust mechanism to address online piracy and mainly focuses on anti-cam recording in multiplexes.
Chadha questioned the government’s efforts to curb digital piracy on OTT platforms, urging for dedicated legislation to tackle this growing problem. His call for action resonated with many, including his wife Parineeti Chopra, who praised his efforts on social media. She tweeted, “What do I say about him? You’re a star for raising this important issue in parliament, my love. @raghav_chadha.”
In another significant proposal, Chadha advocated for reducing the minimum age for contesting Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha elections from 25 to 21 years. He argued that India, being one of the youngest countries in the world with an average age of 29, needs younger representation in politics.
“We are a young country with old politicians; we must aspire to be a young country with young politicians,” Chadha stated. He highlighted that if the youth can vote at 18, they should be allowed to contest elections at 21. Chadha emphasized the need to incentivize the youth to enter mainstream politics, addressing the perception of politics as a “bad profession.”
Chadha’s speech included compelling statistics: 65% of India’s population is below 35 years old, and more than 50% are under 50. Despite this, the representation of young MPs has decreased over the years. In the first Lok Sabha elections post-independence, 26% of MPs were below 40, compared to only 12% in the current 17th Lok Sabha.
Chadha’s dual focus on combating piracy and encouraging youth participation in politics underscores his commitment to addressing contemporary challenges and shaping a progressive future for India. His proposals have sparked discussions and garnered support, highlighting the need for legislative reforms to protect the film industry and ensure youthful representation in governance.
