Madurai bench of Madras High Court issued an interim order against the sexual advertisements which includes ads of condoms and aphrodisiacs. HC bench stated that some condom ads look like porn films, and affect the mindset of youngsters.
The bench comprising of Justice B Pugalendhi and Justice N Kirubarakan noted that such advertisements with obscene content portray women in a manner that violates norms of decency and good taste as established under various laws.
The interim injunction was issued by High Court while hearing a PIL filed by KS Sagadevaraja of Virudhunagar district seeking directions to Centre and the state governments to take stringent action against TV channels and cable operators for running vulgar and obscene advertisement after 10 PM.
“It is shocking to note that in the television, about 10.00 p.m., almost all the television channels are telecasting some advertisements, which exhibit obscenity to promote the sale of condoms, which in fact, are being viewed irrespective of the age and absolutely available in all television channels. Anybody who sees these programmes will be shocked by the pornographic content. Some advertisements though look like promotion “Aphrodisiac” popularly known as ”Love Drugs”, it looks like a porno film. Nudity is exhibited in those advertisements, which is punishable under Section 16 of the Cable Television Network (Regulation) Act, 1995. Similarly, as per Rule 7(1) of the Cable Television Network Rules, 1994, the programmes telecast should not offend “morality”, “decency” and “religious susceptibilities” of the subscribers,” observed the bench.
High Court bench further noted, ” As per Rule 7(2)(vi), the Cable Operators shall ensure that the portrayal of the female form, in the programmes carried in cable service is tasteful and aesthetic and is within the well-established norms of good taste and decency. However, in the programmes/advertisements, which are telecasted in the television in the name of selling condoms and aphrodisiacs, inner wears, they are violating the Rules provided under Rule 7(1) of the Cable Television Network Rules, 1994.”
Interim injunction restrains the satellite channels from telecasting content which contains vulgarity and obscenity. The bench also sought a response on censorship of programmes as prescribed under the Cinematograph Act, 1952.
In a recent order, Madras HC had directed to remove the teaser of the “Irandam Kuththu” movie from all social media channels on similar grounds.
