Ummid Assistant

Mumbai NGO, top experts join hands to train students for civil services exams

Welcome Guest! You are here: Home » National

Fond of sharing porn online, MMS? Get ready to land in jail

Thursday October 11, 2012 07:20:22 PM, IANS

New Delhi: Sharing porn or obscene videos online or through multimedia messaging services (MMS) may soon attract a prison term up to seven years and a maximum fine of Rs.500,000, the government proposed Thursday.

These stringent punishments are part of the amendments proposed in the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986 (IRWA) that were approved by the union cabinet, ahead of the legislation being sent to parliament for making it the law of the land.

The amendments to the IRWA seek to increase the fine and jail term, apart from expanding its scope to include audio-visual and electronic media within its ambit. The law, at present, is applicable only to the print media.

"The union cabinet today (Thursday) approved the introduction of amendments to the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986 in parliament," a government release said soon after the cabinet met here under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Among the key amendments proposed are broadening the scope of the law to cover the audio-visual media and material in electronic form, the release said.

The government said the amendments sought to ensure that more effective protection is provided against indecent representation of women by covering newer forms of communication like Internet and multimedia messaging, beyond the print and audio-visual media.

"This would aid in addressing the problem of increased objectification of women thereby ensuring dignity of women," the release said.

Under the amended law, penalties will be enhanced to a maximum of three years of imprisonment and fine between Rs.50,000 and Rs.100,000 for first conviction.

A second conviction under the law will invite an imprisonment of not less than two years, but which may extend to seven years, and a fine between Rs.100,000 and Rs.500,000.

Police officers not below the rank of inspectors will be authorised to carry out searches and seizures under the law, in addition to state and central government officers authorised by the state or central government.

The IRWA focuses on indecent representation of women and brings under its ambit references that are derogatory to the dignity of women.

The IRWA was enacted with the specific objective of prohibiting the indecent representation of women through advertisement, publication, writing, and painting or in any other manner, but restricted to the print media.

However, technological revolution over the years has resulted in the development of newer forms of communication such as Internet and satellite-based communication, multi-media messaging, and cable television.

"It has, therefore, become imperative to widen the scope of the law so as to cover such forms of media, on one hand, and to strengthen the existing safeguards to prevent indecent representation of women through any such form," the release said.

The government felt that "though IRWA was enacted with the objective of prohibiting indecent representation of women in any advertisement or publication, the existing legislation lacked the focus that is necessary to protect women from exploitation, particularly in the face of the increasing use of advanced technology and communication devices in our everyday life."

"It was felt that the scope of the Act may need to be amended. Extensive consultations have been held with stakeholders, including lawyers and civil society organisations, on the draft bill, before its finalisation," it added.
 









 


 

 

Home | Top of the Page

Comments

Note: By posting your comments here you agree to the terms and conditions of www.ummid.com

Comments powered by DISQUS

i

I

More Headlines

Decision on new drug pricing policy by mid-November

Assocham to urge Mamata to support FDI in retail

eToilet manufacturer ties up with IISc

China to become second-wealthiest nation in five years

Karnataka holds on to Belgaum with second secretariat

Toyota recalls 7.4 mn vehicles globally

India ups stakes in Asia-Europe linkages

e-governance a big hit in Kerala districts

Salafists: New obsession of the West?

Hopes, fears and the diary of Malala Yousufzai

Russia warns over use of force against Iran

 

Top Stories

Congress govt implicating Muslims in cooked up terror plots: BJP Chief

Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) party chief Nitin Gadkari accused the Congress of implicating Muslim youth in false terror cases and blamed  »

 'Investigating Agencies are biased against Muslims'

Compensation, certificates to 61 Muslim youths tortured in blast case

 

  Most Read

Hopes, fears and the diary of Malala Yousufzai

"I was afraid of going to school because the Taliban had issued an edict banning all girls from attending schools," wrote  »

Millions pray for Pakistani girl injured by Taliban

Salafists: New obsession of the West?

So, it was with this in mind I read Husain’s blog post recently on the CFR website about how he plunged into the lion’s den in search of Salafists. He didn’t disappoint. Right off the bat, Husain tells us that Salafism and Wahabism are the most “dangerous, destructive strain of thought.” So he wasn’t looking for my father’s  »

 

  News Pick

Badal putting politics before Punjab on FDI: Amarinder Singh

At a time when Punjab is at the political crossroads over the issue of allowing international supermarket chains in multi-brand retail, Congress leader Amarinder Singh has accused Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal  »

Relax, don't do last minute studies before CAT, say experts

Those taking the Common Admission Test (CAT) for entry to various business schools in the country Oct 11-Nov 6 are advised to relax and not indulge in too much last-minute studies, say experts. The CAT is held every year  »

Karnataka holds on to Belgaum with second secretariat

By getting President Pranab Mukherjee to unveil Karnatakas second state secretariat Suvarna Soudha in this northern city Thursday, the government has sought to consolidate its stranglehold on the  »

Instances of Punjab militancy being monitored: Shinde

There have been instances of Punjab militant activity reported in the recent months, both within the country and abroad, and the situation is being constantly monitored, Home Minister Sushilkumar  »

12 including a woman held for attack on Brar

 

Picture of the Day

Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh presenting the trophy for the best branch of CBI to M.S. Khan, SP, CBI, ACB, Bhubaneswar at the 19th Conference of CBI and State Anti-Corruption Bureaux, in New Delhi on October 10, 2012.

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

RSS  |  Contact us

 

| Quick links

News

 

Subscribe to

Ummid Assistant

 

National

Science & Technology

RSS

Scholarships

About us

International

Health

Twitter

Government Schemes

Feedback

Regional

History

Facebook

Education

Register

Politics

Opinion

Newsletter

Contact us

Business

Career

Education

     

 

 

Ummid.com: Disclaimer | Terms of Use | Advertise with us | Link Exchange

Ummid.com is part of the Awaz Multimedia & Publications providing World News, News Analysis and Feature Articles on Education, Health. Politics, Technology, Sports, Entertainment, Industry etc. The articles or the views displayed on this website are for public information and in no way describe the editorial views. The users are entitled to use this site subject to the terms and conditions mentioned.

© 2012 Awaz Multimedia & Publications. All rights reserved.