Indo-Canadian porn star Sunny Leone, who recently appeared on Colors channel's reality show Bigg Boss, has a defender in Press Council of India chairman Markandey Katju.
In response to complaints about cross promotion of Ms. Leone by the channel, Justice Katju says that “we should not condemn her for her past” as there was nothing to suggest that she indulged in pornography while in India, where it is illegal.
“My opinion is that Sunny Leone was earning her livelihood in the U.S. in a manner acceptable in that country, though it is not acceptable in India,” said a statement from the PCI chief.
“Hence if she conducts herself in India in a manner which is socially acceptable in India and does not breach the social moral code in India, we should not treat her as a social outcast.”
Indians are a broad-minded people, said Justice Katju. Adding that “there is no saint without a past and no sinner without a future,” he cited some religious examples: the “courtesan” Amrapali and “fallen woman” Mary Magdalene who became disciples of Buddha and Jesus respectively.
Justice Katju was responding to a complaint made by Dev Ashish Bhattacharya to Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni, with a copy endorsed to the PCI, that the Broadcast Consumers Complaint Council (BCCC) was not taking action against Colors.
The BCCC has reportedly asked the channel to ensure that Ms. Leone does not use her appearance on the Indian TV show as promotional material on her own websites.