The notice comes after the Smriti Irani-headed ministry on December 11 issued an advisory to all TV channels to restrict condom advertisements to late night between 10 pm and 6 am.
'Why can't the condom ads be telecast outside the currently affixed hours between 10 pm-6 am,' asked the Rajasthan High Court as it issued notice to the Information and Broadcasting Ministry, Principal Secretary to Centre and Union Health Secretary on Wednesday.
The High Court also sought a reply from authorities as to why the ads can't run beyond the prime time deadline.
The notice comes after the Smriti Irani-headed ministry on December 11 issued an advisory to all TV channels to restrict condom advertisements to late night between 10 pm and 6 am.
“All TV channels are hereby advised not to telecast the advertisements of condoms which are for a particular age group and could be indecent/ inappropriate for viewing by children,” the I&B ministry advisory said.
In the advisory, the ministry cited 7(7) and 7(8) of the Cable Television Networks Rules that state that no advertisement which endangers the safety of children or creates in them any interest in unhealthy practices or shows them begging or in an undignified or indecent manner shall be carried in the cable service” and “indecent, vulgar, suggestive, repulsive or offensive themes or treatment shall be avoided in all advertisements”.
This advisory was issued after the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) had requested the I&B ministry to take a call on such ads and their telecast timing after receiving several complaints from various corners about telecasting advertisement of condoms.
While many on social media felt that the deadline won't solve the purpose, traders body CAIT welcomed the government ban on condom advertisements on TV channels saying such ads often violate social values and have an adverse impact of growing children especially teenagers.
"Such ads in fashion what they appear often violate our social values and have an adverse impact on growing children especially teenagers," the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) said in a statement.
(With inputs from agencies)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Condom")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}