The Maharashtra government plans to establish an expert committee to propose stricter punitive measures within current laws to combat advertisements, hoardings, websites, and social media content that provoke sexual crimes. Minister Ashish Shelar revealed this initiative in the State Assembly in response to MLA Sudhir Mungantiwar’s presentation of a non-government Bill aimed at banning such content. Shelar affirmed the government’s firm stance against ads depicting women indecently or promoting obscenity that may incite sexual offenses.
Stringent actions will be taken against individuals spreading obscene language, images, or gestures through public platforms, as emphasized by Minister Shelar, who highlighted the existing legal framework’s provisions for dealing with indecent representations and obscene content dissemination. While acknowledging the current penalties under laws like the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Cable Television Networks Rules, Shelar proposed a review to align penalties with contemporary standards. The state government intends to collaborate with the Central government to enhance penalties under relevant acts.
Moreover, Minister Shelar announced the formation of an expert committee to devise a comprehensive policy that upholds freedom of expression while safeguarding societal interests and women’s dignity. He underscored the importance of advertisements promoting positive values instead of obscenity or moral decline. Regulating derogatory ads targeting women is crucial for preserving social values and nurturing a healthy cultural milieu.
