Leader of the House Bimal Rathnayake today requested the Parliamentary Caucus on Arts and Cultural Affairs to screen the Bollywood film “Taare Zameen Par” for the members of the House.
Rathnayake made the remarks during the second reading of the Penal Code (Amendment) Bill, tabled by Minister Saroja Paulraj, which seeks to criminalize corporal punishment and harmful disciplinary practices against children.
While opposition MPs expressed support for ending corporal punishment, MP Ajith P. Perera raised concerns about the wording of the bill, warning it could be interpreted too broadly and affect parents and teachers.
Responding, Rathnayake said laws must evolve over time and criticized the opposition for failing to recognize issues related to children’s mental health and development.
He suggested screening the film for all MPs, adding that those particularly concerned should be given individual copies.
Taare Zameen Par (Like Stars on Earth), a 2007 Indian film directed by Aamir Khan, explores the struggles of an 8-year-old boy with dyslexia who faces punishment and misunderstanding from parents and teachers due to his learning difficulties.
Widely acclaimed for its sensitive portrayal of childhood challenges, the film has been used in educational and policy discussions across South Asia to advocate for child-friendly learning environments and reforms in disciplinary methods. (Newswire)