BJP demands state ban on 'Orkut'

MUMBAI: Terming social networking sites such as 'Orkut' as dangerous, the BJP on Wednesday demanded the site should be banned in Maharashtra and said cyber laws should be made more stringent.

"Sites such as Orkut are nothing but means to corrupt young minds. If UP chief Minister Mayawati can take up the issue on an international platform, and get objectionable material about her banned, why can't we do the same in Maharashtra," party spokesperson Shaina NC said.

"The party would approach Governor SM Krishna as well as Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh soon, with a memorandum on the same," Shaina said.

Orkut, a social networking website, run by Google, is immensely popular in the country and has been the subject of controversies recently, with several groups calling for it to be banned.

"Even Adnan Patrawala's parents have blamed Orkut for their son's death. When Home Minister RR Patil can take up causes like dance bars, why is he ignoring the bad effect that websites like this are having on youth? Cyber laws in the state must be made more stringent to keep a check on this," she said.

"There are 'I hate India' and 'Gandhi is a cartoon' communities on the site. How can such objectionable material be allowed. This site should be banned and it should be done by proper legislation. The government should act fast," she added.