Ban Land Volume 1
Edited by Juhi Ali
India has done it once again! India ranks number two on the list of the Top 10 countries with the highest population in the world. With such startling figures, one would think the country would do more to curb its growing population. But instead, India is taking a step backwards. The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights has passed on the act of a nationwide ban on television ads for condoms during prime time hours, 10 pm to 6am, citing rules prohibiting “vulgar” content and concerns over children viewing obscene material. The Population Foundation of India suggested that like in the film industry, advertisements can be graded by content and accordingly allotted for telecast instead of removing all advertisements.
Let’s highlight the pros and cons of this resolve
Pro: You don’t have to go through the awkward moment when you watch television with your family.
Cons: Kids won’t understand the importance of safe sex.
And here we are, still dealing with teen pregnancy in the rural areas of the country. Sex remains a taboo subject in India, a broadly conservative and traditional country, and condom ads have stirred up controversy in the past. Previously this year, India’s largest trading body successfully pitched for condom billboards featuring a former porn star, Suuny Leone were pulled down in Gujarat state, because of religious sensitivities. This act is also said to be the main trigger of this move.
If it wasn’t bad enough, the Indian education system hardly puts enough emphasis on sex education, and now the younger generation will be even more unaware of the product. It’s not just about teenage pregnancy and the effect it has on a young girl’s body, but awareness regarding condoms is essential to promote safe sex that in turn can prevent the spread of sexually transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancies. There isn't enough awareness about birth control as well. Birth control doesn’t only have health benefits but also gives you the access to effective methods of birth control means you can have the number of children you want, when and with whom you want them. It also reduces the need of abortion.
So many questions have been raised regarding the decision made by the Board; how long will elders try to keep sex a mystery from kids? Isn't it their responsibility to talk to kids about sex and healthy practices? How else will parents ensure that kids are not fed with wrong information? Don't parents and the government owe their children good sex education?
The Rajasthan High Court issued a notice to the central government on Wednesday (20th December) seeking to know the reasons behind its decision to restrain airing of condom advertisements. A bench of Chief Justice Pradeep Nandrajog and Justice DC Somani issued a notice to the central government, hearing a petition filed by an NGO, Global Alliance for Human Rights which has been working for the welfare of HIV positive patients since 2012. The petition stated; ‘The government is on the one hand promoting family planning and awareness about AIDS and STD, but on the other, it is obstructing dissemination of condom advertisements that are crucial for family planning, reducing abortion deaths and awareness about HIV-AIDS and STD.’
Kids can watch live TV news showing a video of a man being burnt to death, but god forbid they get a glimpse of a condom ad. Instead of focusing on this particular procedure, why not draw immediate attention to some entertainment programs on TV and films which feature inappropriate content like the Katrina Kaif Slice ad or the Amul Innerwear.
