India / Some TV ads for condoms look like porn films, spoil minds of youngsters: HC

Chennai: The Madras High Court has commented that some condom advertisements, telecast by satellite TV channels, look like porn films and spoil younger minds. The court further, expressing shock, noted such advertisements portray women in a manner that violates norms of decency and good taste, established by various laws.

The court made the observations while hearing a PIL, filed by KS Sagadevaraja of Virudhunagar district, seeking directions to the Centre and the state government to take action against cable operators and TV channels for airing “vulgar” and “obscene” content.

'Vulgar' ads violate laws

The HC bench, comprising justices B Pugalendhi and N Kirubarakan, observed that almost all TV satellite channels, after 10 pm, telecast some ads which contain nudity for promoting the sale of condoms. Such content violates the provisions of the Cable Television Network Rules, 1994 and the Cable Television Network (Regulation) Act, 1995, the bench held, according to a report by The Times of India.

The bench issued a temporary order to restrain the satellite channels to telecast content with vulgarity and obscenity, and sough response on programmes’ censorship as prescribed under the Cinematography Act, 1952.

HC ordered removal of ‘Irandam Kuththu’ teaser 

It may be noted that the court had earlier, on November 11, ordered the removal of the teaser of film ‘Irandam Kuththu’ from social media platforms on similar grounds. The court had observed that the teaser exhibited obscenity that would corrupt the minds of youngsters, which, in turn, would result in increase of crimes against women and minors.