The private member’s bill, moved by BJP member Sudhir Mungantiwar, slammed advertisements of an innerwear brand, a cement company and a body spray for the “obscenity” depicted in them.
Obscene advertisements can lead to heinous crimes like murder, rape, eve-teasing and outraging modesty of women, a private member’s bill claimed in the state assembly on Friday.
Acknowledging it, the government said that it had already written to the Centre, seeking that sections of Acts related to obscene advertisements and literature be amended to keep them in check.
The private member’s bill, moved by BJP member Sudhir Mungantiwar, slammed advertisements of an innerwear brand, a cement company and a body spray for the “obscenity” depicted in them.
Mungantiwar demanded enactment of the Maharashtra Prohibition of Advertisements and Hoardings with Violent and Sexy Postures Bill, which he placed in the house on Friday. “With the sheer motive of making money, advertisers attempt to attract youth by exhibiting parts of the female body,” he said.
“Developed countries like the US take stringent action and impose hefty fines on obscene advertisers. But we, the believers of conservative values, tolerate the extreme obscenity and vulgar practices spread through the media.”
Minister of state for home Ramesh Bagwe told the lower house on Friday that his department had been urging the Centre to make amendments to Acts related to obscene advertisements and sexual harassment. Letters have been sent by the department to the prime minister’s office and the information and broadcasting ministry in September 2009. Also, MPs from Maharashtra have been told to raise the issue in Parliament, Bagwe said.
The state’s proposal sent to the Centre has recommended that sections 292, 292(a), 293 of the IPC and certain sections of the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act be amended to make them stronger.
Among other things, the state has recommended that the term of imprisonment and fine for wrong-doers be increased manifold, and certain sections be made more stringent to thwart repeated offences. The state has also recommended that the offences be made non-bailable.
Bagwe told the assembly that the local bodies, like the BMC, should take action against posters, banners and advertisements “that are obscene in nature”. “The police have filed three cases against a city tabloid for publishing obscene materials,” he added.
Mungantiwar withdrew the bill after the government promised to pursue the issue with the Centre, seeking the necessary amendments.
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