Jaipur, Dec 20 (PTI) The Rajasthan High Court issued a notice to the central government today seeking to know the reasons behind its decision to bar airing of condom advertisements on TV channels between 6 am and 10 pm.
A bench of Chief Justice Pradeep Nandrajog and Justice D C Somani issued notice to the central government, hearing a petition filed by an NGO.
In an advisory to all television channels on December 11, the information and broadcasting ministry asked them to restrict airing of condom advertisements to slots between 10 pm and 6 am, as these “could be indecent/inappropriate for viewing by children”.
The NGO claimed that the action of the ministry was against the interest of public.
The NGO also claimed the move showed the “hypocritical approach” of the government, wherein it 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 (sexually transmitted diseases).
The plea contends that kids and adolescents must also know about safe sex and must be given sex education. “There is not an iota of reason as to how an advertisement for condom is an unhealthy practice,” it noted.
