(a) whether the Government are aware of the present scenario where in very provocative advertisements by indecent presentation of women are increasing day by day;
(b) if so, whether the Government is also aware of the fact that the punishment provided in the Act of 1986 is too inadequate to prevent culprits; and
(c) if so, the steps proposed to be taken to eradicate such publicity?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (SHRIMATI SUMITRA MAHAJAN)
(a),(b)&(c) A Statement is annexed.
STATEMENT IN RESPECT OF PART (a),(b)&(c) OF LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5401 FOR 30.4.2002 REGARDING
PROVOCATIVE ADVERTISEMENTS BY INDECENT PRESENTATION OF WOMEN
(a),(b)&(c) Government has enacted the Indecent
Representation of Women (Prevention) Act, 1986 with the
objective of prohibiting indecent representation of women
through advertisements, publications, writings, print,
figures or in any other manner. Offences under this Act are
cognizable. In addition to this Act, existing provisions of
IPC under Sections 292, 293 & 294 cover obscenity and
prohibit sale etc. of obscene books, obscene objects etc.
The National Commission for Women (NCW) had recommended
certain amendments in the Indecent Representation of Women
(Prohibition) Act, 1986, including enhancing the penalties
for offences under the Act. On the basis of recommendations
made by NCW, the Government has initiated the process of
reviewing the said Act in consultation with the concerned
Ministries and Departments.
As informed by the Ministry of Information &
Broadcasting, all films including advertisement films
intended for public exhibition in India are required to be
certified by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC)
in accordance with the provision of the Cinematograph Act,
1952 and the guidelines issued thereunder. CBFC, while
examining films for certification, ensures inter-alia, that
human sensibilities are not offended by vulgarity,
obscenity, depravity, sex and violence.
In matters relating to the Press, the Press Council of
India, an autonomous statutory self-regulatory body set up
to preserve the freedom of the Press and improve the
standards of newspapers and all new agencies in India, has
laid down norms of Journalistic ethics, which, inter-alia,
include norms relating to obscenity and vulgarity to be
eschewed in print media. The norms lay down that the
newspapers shall not display advertisements which are vulgar
or which, through depiction of women in nude or lewd
postures, provoke lecherous attention of males.