The Information and Broadcast Ministry's decision to ban condom ads from peak hours of television broadcast has drawn flake on social media.
People termed the decision as misguided as they called for guidelines for content of ads and increased sexual education, instead of ban.
"Instead of put time period that No #CondomAds from 6 AM to 10 PM. Govt should set guidelines for content of Ads. In-fact, Govt should launch Condom Vending Machines everywhere. Awareness over Sex Education, HIV/AIDS, Population control should start from Childhood," a social media post read.
The government on Monday strictly asked TV channels not to air advertisements selling and promoting condoms because these are "indecent especially for children" and can create "unhealthy practices" among them.
"It has been brought to the notice of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting that some channels carry advertisements of condoms repeatedly which are alleged to be indecent especially for children," an advisory from the ministry said.
The decision, however, did not go well with general public. The topic, which remained in trends throughout Tuesday, attracted debate over government's right to regulate TV content related to sex education and moral policing.
"Disagree (with decision to ban ads). If @MIB_India want, they can regulate Ads, set guidelines. Why Ban? Why this Moral Policing?Our children deserve to know about Sex and use of Condoms,no?," someone asked on micro-blogging site.
The I&B ministry's decision did find several supporters as well. Some social media users hailed the decision to ban the indecent advertisements during prime time, while others urged for a full-time ban.
"Modi Govt’s ban on a condom ad on TV during peak hours: I appeal to PM @narendramodi , BJP chief @AmitShah n @smritiirani to ban condom ads altogether on TV and stop the sell-sex-earn-money industry and uphold true nationalist ideals. Would Deendayal Upadhaya allowed such ads ?" a Twitter user said.
Meanwhile, the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) on Tuesday welcomed the ban, saying that the commission has received complaints regarding condom advertisements showing inappropriate content in the past.
