Condom ads
“Assuming that the condom advertisements violate the rules, how do they not violate it beyond 10 pm?” it added.
Calling the advisory absurd, the PIL said it has been issued without application of mind.
“There is no prudent reasoning for restraining the advertisement from 6 am to 10 pm. There is no reason as to how an advertisement for condom is an unhealthy practice,” Kasliwal said in the petition.
The petitioner, Brijesh Dubey, president of Global Alliance for Human Rights, said the advisory vindicates the hypocritical approach of the government, which on one hand was promoting family planning, awareness about AIDS and STD and on the other obstructing dissemination of condom advertisement.
Dubey said consistent condom use has been one of the most critical aspects of NACO’s prevention strategy for HIV/AIDS control.
The petition cited data from NIELSEN and Ministry of Health & Family Welfare to say rural paid condom market has grown by 70% during 2007-08 and 2012-13. During the same period rural social marketing condom market has grown by 42%.
“The advisory is against the objective of family planning and prevention of AIDS and further against the interest of general public at large,” the petition said.
The petition sought quashing of the advisory. Minister Ananth Kumar said after the meeting.
Party sources said Modi turned emotional quite a few times as he recalled how the party organisation was built in Gujarat and young leaders were groomed by seniors, including former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Modi remembered how Vajpayee had congratulated and hugged him after Gujarat gave the BJP 20 out of 26 Lok Sabha seats in one election.
The PM asked BJP leaders to take pride in the fact that the party has won sixth election in a row in Gujarat, a feat achieved by very few in the country. Modi also said that he travelled to several states after Gujarat campaign and the party leaders should put in their best to build the organisation.
Seeking the promotion of young leaders at every level in the organisation, Modi referred to how he had groomed party chief Amit Shah, 14 years younger than him, they said.