‘PORN BAN TO COMPLY WITH APEX COURT OBSERVATIONS’

NEW DELHI: As reactions to the government’s move to block porn sites rose to a crescendo on Monday, top communications ministry officials said it was merely meant to comply with the Supreme Court’s observations and not to curtail internet freedom. “We are not a control-freak government and strongly object to the word Talibanisation,” communications minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said. “On the contrary, we are pushing for higher levels of internet use through Digital India.” The Opposition had raised the T word to liken the restriction on porn sites to the ways of Afghanistan’s oppressive grouping. According to data from Pornhub, one of the world’s biggest porn sites, Indians rank fifth among its most prolific daily consumers. The website got 78.9 billion video views globally in 2014.

Prasad refused to go into the details of the action being taken, but a communications ministry official said an ombudsman could not be ruled out. “The ombudsman can hold discus- sions with parents’ associations, NGOs, journalists and other stakeholders on the issue,” said the official.

The Supreme Court, slated to take up the matter on August 10, had, however, issued no direction to block or ban porn sites. On the last date of hearing on July 8, a bench headed by Chief Justice HL Dattu had only asked the government to clarify its stand on a petition seeking to ban pornographic websites across India on the ground that they fuel crime against women.

“Such interim orders cannot be passed by this court. Somebody can come to the court and say, ‘Look, I am an adult and how can you stop me from watching it within the four walls of my room? It is a violation of Article 21 (right to personal liberty) of the Constitution’. Yes, the issue is serious and some steps need to be taken… the Centre has to take a stand... let us see what stand the Centre will take,” CJI Dattu had said. Appearing for the Centre, additional solicitor general Pinky Anand had told the court the government was willing to take action against the “offending websites”. The matter has been pending before the court since 2013.